Have you ever had one single clear memory stir up a massive amount of memories, but they are all tangled up together in one big cloudy BLUR!?
I have been spending the last year and half decoding my own brain and understanding why it is I do the things I do as an adult. Specifically as a parent. Obviously the two go hand in hand. I have to make it out of the big cloudy blur in order to have a proper comprehension of my own behaviors.
Like for example, I distinctly remember having to practice my spelling words as a child. When I go to do the same with my own children I turn it into this ginormous glamorous event full of excitement. After doing so for the past couple of years my super intelligent middle son (admittedly exhausted by my exuberance) asked me why I always insist on making a big deal out of just silly old spelling words, and just like it would in a movie, I had a flashback yesterday as to why I do so.
I was not beaten black and blue as a child, but I did get remotes repeatedly chunked at my face in a fit of rage because I did not spell the word chocolate right when I was nine years old.
Now, whenever I go to spell the word chocolate I say “Cho-Co-Late” in my head and know without a shred of doubt that word is spelt correctly. I also get this weird quiver shiver up the side of my face as well, but at least I will never spell my favorite ice cream flavor wrong.
I will always throw spelling word parties, and bask in the fact my children will not have that same satisfaction. In fact they all read on levels way beyond their own grade levels and I pride myself on the patience I have acquired unintentionally due to the lack of patience that was shown to me for just being a little child.
Memoir of a mom 