Comments on: Reflections on a Fallen Tree http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/ Timeless Parenting Advice for Toddlers through Teenagers Thu, 10 May 2012 05:16:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Silvana http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-42138 Silvana Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:21:34 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-42138 I'm a new mother and the youngest daughter to an incredible mother and youngest sister to 3 wonderful women. What I've learned from motherhood is you must demonstrate everything. My mother absolutely "demonstrates" how to be an awesome mother each day of her life. Her greatest gift to us was and is advise. Everything she says makes sense. We never had to contest what she said because she always spoke the truth. You can't contest that. She did everything she said she was going to do including taking things away from us. She never looked upset about her decisions. Mostly she sifted the heart of her girls. She made us women and from that we became and are becoming mothers. She never freaked out on the "little things" and made sure to be firm on the wrong things. That's why we listened. She wasn't always giving us trouble. Just when we needed it. I’m a new mother and the youngest daughter to an incredible mother and youngest sister to 3 wonderful women. What I’ve learned from motherhood is you must demonstrate everything. My mother absolutely “demonstrates” how to be an awesome mother each day of her life. Her greatest gift to us was and is advise. Everything she says makes sense. We never had to contest what she said because she always spoke the truth. You can’t contest that. She did everything she said she was going to do including taking things away from us. She never looked upset about her decisions. Mostly she sifted the heart of her girls. She made us women and from that we became and are becoming mothers. She never freaked out on the “little things” and made sure to be firm on the wrong things. That’s why we listened. She wasn’t always giving us trouble. Just when we needed it.

]]> By: Laquita http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-42067 Laquita Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:04:56 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-42067 Amita, Been there, done that, too! Still am...Anytime you are feeling down on yourself, listen to Trace Adkins' song, "You're Gonna Miss This". It will make you smile and cry at the same time, but it is a wonderful song and a tonic for your soul. It should be in the Gospel section, too, in my opinion! Amita,
Been there, done that, too! Still am…Anytime you are feeling down on yourself, listen to Trace Adkins’ song, “You’re Gonna Miss This”. It will make you smile and cry at the same time, but it is a wonderful song and a tonic for your soul. It should be in the Gospel section, too, in my opinion!

]]> By: Alia http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-42013 Alia Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:05:33 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-42013 Rather motivating to read the article and all the comments posted. We may come from different parts of the world or from different culture or religious background, but as mothers we love our children & want the best for them. How many times I've cried over the cruel words I've uttered to my only child. Having read this article & comments, I'm confident now that life goes on, unkind words uttered can't be taken back. So I've got to improve & move on to make life for my son & myself better in the future. I'm glad God has given me a chance to be a mother (even to one child). Rather motivating to read the article and all the comments posted. We may come from different parts of the world or from different culture or religious background, but as mothers we love our children & want the best for them. How many times I’ve cried over the cruel words I’ve uttered to my only child. Having read this article & comments, I’m confident now that life goes on, unkind words uttered can’t be taken back. So I’ve got to improve & move on to make life for my son & myself better in the future. I’m glad God has given me a chance to be a mother (even to one child).

]]> By: Leslie http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-42008 Leslie Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:26:20 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-42008 GOD bless you for your inspiring and motivating articles!!! Thank you so much for the friendly reminders to appreciate what we have and to always be thankful! GOD bless you for your inspiring and motivating articles!!! Thank you so much for the friendly reminders to appreciate what we have and to always be thankful!

]]> By: Amita http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-42003 Amita Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:13:10 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-42003 Hi Debbie...you echoed what I have felt many times, about wishing to do it all over again! Isnt it odd , how so many of us fraught mothers can feel the same way, thousands of miles away?! I too, try and remember the good times, and going through old videos and pictures helps to recapture those times. How young are our teenagers? Is it possible to connect with you, as I have no clue how to connect with other mothers..Please let me know ..I dont know how many others post to this site from India!! Hi Debbie…you echoed what I have felt many times, about wishing to do it all over again! Isnt it odd , how so many of us fraught mothers can feel the same way, thousands of miles away?! I too, try and remember the good times, and going through old videos and pictures helps to recapture those times. How young are our teenagers? Is it possible to connect with you, as I have no clue how to connect with other mothers..Please let me know ..I dont know how many others post to this site from India!!

]]> By: Amita http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-42002 Amita Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:12:48 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-42002 Hi Debbie...you echoed what I have felt many times, about wishing to do it all over again! Isnt it odd , how so many of us fraught mothers can feel the same way, thousands of miles away?! I too, try and remember the good times, and going through old videos and pictures helps to recapture those times. How young are our teenagers? Is it possible to connect with you, as I have no clue how to connect with other mothers..Please let me know ..I dontknow how many others post to this site from India!! Hi Debbie…you echoed what I have felt many times, about wishing to do it all over again! Isnt it odd , how so many of us fraught mothers can feel the same way, thousands of miles away?! I too, try and remember the good times, and going through old videos and pictures helps to recapture those times. How young are our teenagers? Is it possible to connect with you, as I have no clue how to connect with other mothers..Please let me know ..I dontknow how many others post to this site from India!!

]]> By: Debbie http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-42001 Debbie Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:38:49 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-42001 Debbie says, Amita, I, too, am the mother of two teens! Whew! I can't tell you how many times in the past few months I have prayed for a "do over"! It is hard not to look back and cringe at all those moments we are not so proud of. Isn't it sad that some times, those are the moments we seem to remember instead of the bright and shiny ones. I guess it all comes back to attitude and making the choice to recognize and celebrate the good and to go forward! We can only begin with this moment. Debbie says,

Amita,
I, too, am the mother of two teens! Whew! I can’t tell you how many times in the past few months I have prayed for a “do over”! It is hard not to look back and cringe at all those moments we are not so proud of. Isn’t it sad that some times, those are the moments we seem to remember instead of the bright and shiny ones. I guess it all comes back to attitude and making the choice to recognize and celebrate the good and to go forward! We can only begin with this moment.

]]> By: Jill http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-41979 Jill Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:09:18 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-41979 Great article. The other day I thought I had lost my wallet and was totally upset at the thought of trying to remember what was in it and getting everything replaced. I kept telling myself that so many people now are dealing with their home being destroyed by a tornado or a flood, or worse yet, losing a family member or friend due to one of these storms, and unlike a person or a cherished memento, a wallet and all of its contents can be replaced! Great article. The other day I thought I had lost my wallet and was totally upset at the thought of trying to remember what was in it and getting everything replaced. I kept telling myself that so many people now are dealing with their home being destroyed by a tornado or a flood, or worse yet, losing a family member or friend due to one of these storms, and unlike a person or a cherished memento, a wallet and all of its contents can be replaced!

]]> By: Catherine http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-41977 Catherine Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:24:19 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-41977 Life is filled with learning and(re)perspective opportunities. I work wih small souls and enjoy watching them change their self perspctives, while achieving so much more than expected. We are fortunate, so blessed to live on a planet in a universe so filled with love and wonder we only need to stop periodically and simply BE for a moment. We truly are spirits having very human experiences. We all learn by doing, through learning opportunites [often labled mistakes],we discover what works[/or not] in many different situations. I learned that all beings have a category of wisdom, and when I am open I can share in the vast experiences. Today, it is a fallen tree creating awareness, tomorrow begins the tree's journey to replace what was lost, and the broken pieces begin their journey to...? How wonderfull it would be if a craftsman took charge of the downed tree and turned it into a piece of art or furniture, giving the downed tree a new purpose in life. Funny, how a fallen tree can lead us to a discussion of purpose and learning opportunities! Lesson learned from trees: grow and be.... alive! Life is filled with learning and(re)perspective opportunities. I work wih small souls and enjoy watching them change their self perspctives, while achieving so much more than expected. We are fortunate, so blessed to live on a planet in a universe so filled with love and wonder we only need to stop periodically and simply BE for a moment. We truly are spirits having very human experiences. We all learn by doing, through learning opportunites [often labled mistakes],we discover what works[/or not] in many different situations.

I learned that all beings have a category of wisdom, and when I am open I can share in the vast experiences.

Today, it is a fallen tree creating awareness, tomorrow begins the tree’s journey to replace what was lost, and the broken pieces begin their journey to…? How wonderfull it would be if a craftsman took charge of the downed tree and turned it into a piece of art or furniture, giving the downed tree a new purpose in life.

Funny, how a fallen tree can lead us to a discussion of purpose and learning opportunities!

Lesson learned from trees: grow and be…. alive!

]]> By: Audrey http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-41926 Audrey Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:38:56 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-41926 When your children are grown these years will be a dim memory. Pick your battles, remember that "relationship is #1" so watch WHAT and HOW you speak to them. Treat them with respect even if you don't feel like it! Teens are just finding their independence and their brains are not fully developed yet, so they don't think like adults even tho they want to be like adults. This time too shall pass; pray; develop a support network with friends; pick your battles; and ask for forgiveness if your have wronged your child instead of being plagued by guilt. If it won't harm them or someone else & if it's not illegal don't push the issue. If you teach them good values, morals and a belief system they will find truth in & for themselves one day. Then you will see your rewards! When your children are grown these years will be a dim memory. Pick your battles, remember that “relationship is #1″ so watch WHAT and HOW you speak to them. Treat them with respect even if you don’t feel like it! Teens are just finding their independence and their brains are not fully developed yet, so they don’t think like adults even tho they want to be like adults. This time too shall pass; pray; develop a support network with friends; pick your battles; and ask for forgiveness if your have wronged your child instead of being plagued by guilt. If it won’t harm them or someone else & if it’s not illegal don’t push the issue. If you teach them good values, morals and a belief system they will find truth in & for themselves one day. Then you will see your rewards!

]]> By: Amita http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-41925 Amita Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:51:43 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-41925 Thanks Mollie, thanks Katie...helps to know I am not alone ....I beat myself up more often than not but I shall remember to PRAY. Wll also remember to think long...have said a lot I regret. Thanks Mollie, thanks Katie…helps to know I am not alone ….I beat myself up more often than not but I shall remember to PRAY.
Wll also remember to think long…have said a lot I regret.

]]> By: Katie http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-41924 Katie Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:26:03 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-41924 Amita, Please remember God is not finished with them yet! All will be well! Amita,
Please remember God is not finished with them yet!
All will be well!

]]> By: mollie http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-41922 mollie Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:22:28 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-41922 Amita, I don't know how many other parents feel that way, but I know I did and sometimes still do think I should have.... My children are 20 somethings, one is turning thirty this year. I use to beat myself up over those worries, but I cannot undo what has been done. Remember you did the best you could with what you had at the time! What you can do now is counsel and advise them when they ASK for it, remember to think long and answer slowly And PRAY! Amita,
I don’t know how many other parents feel that way, but I know I did and sometimes still do think I should have….
My children are 20 somethings, one is turning thirty this year. I use to beat myself up over those worries, but I cannot undo what has been done. Remember you did the best you could with what you had at the time!
What you can do now is counsel and advise them when they ASK for it, remember to think long and answer slowly And PRAY!

]]> By: Amita http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-41921 Amita Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:14:49 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-41921 Am also the mother of two teenagers, and I would love to say the same about starting in a new direction! Right now, I feel like I have made all the wrong choices for my kids, despite knowing that there is a good reason for all that happens...feel like the storm is never ending. Any tips will be appreciated Am also the mother of two teenagers, and I would love to say the same about starting in a new direction! Right now, I feel like I have made all the wrong choices for my kids, despite knowing that there is a good reason for all that happens…feel like the storm is never ending. Any tips will be appreciated

]]> By: Mary Ann http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-41919 Mary Ann Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:15:29 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-41919 This made me think of Robert Frost's poem, "The Tree Fallen Across the Road". This made me think of Robert Frost’s poem, “The Tree Fallen Across the Road”.

]]> By: Julie R. http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-41918 Julie R. Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:02:53 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-41918 As a mom of two teenagers, it seems all of a sudden, life is speeding up at a very fast pace. Sometimes I'm not sure if I like it as much as the younger years--but looking at the growth and obstacles that my kids have overcome, I can't help but be proud. The storms of our lives can either stop us in our tracks or prod us into another direction. Sometimes starting in that new direction is like pulling my feet out of concrete. I always enjoy the reading that your publication sends. I am very blessed to be a mom. Thanks. As a mom of two teenagers, it seems all of a sudden, life is speeding up at a very fast pace. Sometimes I’m not sure if I like it as much as the younger years–but looking at the growth and obstacles that my kids have overcome, I can’t help but be proud. The storms of our lives can either stop us in our tracks or prod us into another direction. Sometimes starting in that new direction is like pulling my feet out of concrete. I always enjoy the reading that your publication sends. I am very blessed to be a mom. Thanks.

]]> By: mandy http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-41917 mandy Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:00:40 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-41917 well said, after spending $1200 yesterday for car repairs... I'm thankful it broke down AFTER I had dropped my 3 year old to daycare... that my job allows me to work from home during situations such as a car being in the shop... and that the money was readily available... I enjoyed a day home with my 3 year old, he played in the sprinkler while I worked on the patio... I could have made it bad... but I didn't and that's what we have to remember. well said, after spending $1200 yesterday for car repairs… I’m thankful it broke down AFTER I had dropped my 3 year old to daycare… that my job allows me to work from home during situations such as a car being in the shop… and that the money was readily available…

I enjoyed a day home with my 3 year old, he played in the sprinkler while I worked on the patio… I could have made it bad… but I didn’t and that’s what we have to remember.

]]> By: Padma http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-41915 Padma Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:50:32 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-41915 Very inspiring!! Very inspiring!!

]]> By: Y http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-41913 Y Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:47:22 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-41913 Perspective is a great thing to remember and to remind ourselves to look at another point of view. When we pray for strength/patience/fill in the blank, it is not strength (etc.) we are blessed with but opportunities to test us so we can be learn from the experience. Perspective is a great thing to remember and to remind ourselves to look at another point of view.

When we pray for strength/patience/fill in the blank, it is not strength (etc.) we are blessed with but opportunities to test us so we can be learn from the experience.

]]> By: Lizzie http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-41912 Lizzie Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:24:31 +0000 http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/fallen-tree/#comment-41912 What a great article for today! I had a really rough morning and was just about to call a friend to complain, and now I'm changing my perspective and seeing all the good in my life that I was just overlooking. We are so blessed, and yet, it's so easy to focus on all the little things that go wrong.... ~Lizzie, mom of Lily, 4, and Shane, 1.5 What a great article for today! I had a really rough morning and was just about to call a friend to complain, and now I’m changing my perspective and seeing all the good in my life that I was just overlooking. We are so blessed, and yet, it’s so easy to focus on all the little things that go wrong….

~Lizzie, mom of Lily, 4, and Shane, 1.5

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