2020 Mom Awards I’ve Earned So Far

Dear Jenny,

Let’s get real for a second. The goals and to-do lists you set for yourself on that March 18th day when you realized you would be home at least for the next 4.5 months with your kiddos haven’t panned out like you thought they would. Your whole world got flipped turned upside down, and not in an awesome Fresh Prince of Bel-Air sort of way.  Your mom-side and teacher-side will battle for the next 5 months as you learn to navigate the ups and downs of missing your students and teaching and being with your own children 25 hours a day/8 days a week. You accomplished your goals. They just didn’t look the way you imagined. Display these trophies you’ve earned with pride, Sister.  

HOUSE DIDN’T CATCH ON FIRE AWARD

This is especially great because of how many times “THE FLOOR IS LAVA!” was played.  No emergency room visits due to jumping from couch to ottoman.  Dirty dishes at no time grew mold. (Let’s keep that bar low as we progress through 2020, Jenny.) The kids even learned how to do some of their chores more efficiently.  P.S. If you are looking for the peanut butter…it’s in the refrigerator.

Home Improvement Goals? Check

      

YOUR KIDS STILL SEEM SMART EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME AWARD

That digital detox you did in June after an abundance of screens during virtual learning was no cake walk. Remember when their heads spun around in circles, and they lost all joy when you told them they wouldn’t have electronics for two weeks? Yeah, they got over that pretty quickly. They enjoyed that time away and were more aware when they had exceeded their limits when they got the tech back.  Technology, as much as we want to hate it, was a gift during this season. They were able to connect with more people than they could interact with in person. Don’t look a gift-horse in the mouth. 

Tech Regulation Goals? Check.  

YOUR KIDS LIKE HARRY POTTER AND BABYSITTERS CLUB AWARD

No, they haven’t read ALL of the books. Sure, they may have watched the new Babysitter’s Club Netflix series before reading the graphic novels…but words went in through their eyeballs and into the depths of their brain regions.

Reading Goals?  Check

YOUR KIDS WERE BORED AWARD

These were actually the times you wanted to PLAN for that happened even better than you could have organized. Those moments when a kid just wants to go on a walk with you and spill all their thoughts.  The complicated puzzles the four-year-old can put together while we watch in amazement. The slumber parties the 3 of them arranged in the living room just so they could hang together all night.

Family Time Goals? Check

MUSICAL GENIUS AWARD

Maybe…just maybe…thinking you were going to have the girls learn THREE instruments wasn’t realistic.  Maybe? So what if they aren’t ready for a recital? What if your plans smother the organic love of music they have? You provided Georgia with a page of Ukulele chords to reference, and she has spent the past few nights in her room writing her own songs with lyrics and ukulele accompaniment. 

Music Lesson Goals? Check

Real talk, again: this isn’t over. You have more to navigate over the next year as you go back to the classroom and possibly virtual teaching at some point. The time ahead will have its own challenges that you can’t possibly imagine. As you set the goals for this next school year, focus on HEARTS over PRODUCTIVITY.  You will climb big mountains, Mama. You already have. All your kiddos will, too, if you lead with love first.  

XOXO, 

Your Biggest Cheerleader….You.  

Jenny Farha
Jenny is an Oklahoma City native who has now lived in Wichita for over half her life. She met her husband when they were 12 and 13 at church camp and became college sweethearts. They live in Crown Heights and have 3 rascals… Georgia(11), Olivia(7), and James(3). Jenny loves her job in USD 259 as a Gifted Education Teacher. She has a heart for beautiful things, children’s literature, and anything creative. You might find her on a typical Friday at any of the amazing spots along Douglas Avenue pretending everybody knows her name.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Keeping it real while striving for the stratosphere! We all need to give ourselves a break from even our own expectations. Balance is key to healthy, happy lives of both children and parents. Great job!!

  2. Congratulations on being a great mom. We live in Oklahoma (Choctaw) Valerie and I are first cousins on my Dads side.

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