Sometimes Mothering Hurts

I sometimes wonder if I have something wrong with me because I love my children so much and I want to do all I can to help them, but sometimes when they share their pains and frustrations I physically hurt as if it is all happening to me multiple times of intensity than they must be feeling. I wonder if it is just pain of not knowing how to help them, or transference of their pain, but I really don't like it, but I guess I like it better than not being there for them.

Mothering by the Spirit

I think that I often feel guilty for shortcomings, for failures and don't look at what I do that is right in terms of mothering. This week my kids needed me to help with their education plans. One of them dropped two classes to add a practicum. The practicum ended up having requirements that weren't there when her sister took it two years ago. This meant she needed to drop it. She had already given up her spot in the classes. She was able to add one class, but not the other. We looked through available class possibilities and came up with a couple options. These options would make her credit load acceptable for her financial aid, but wouldn't help her progress towards her degree. I prayed. As I prayed, a very clear thought came to me that she should email the teacher and see if he could make an exception to add her to an already full class. She wrote him, explained the circumstances, and he gave her approval to add the class!

Another child will need two classes to fulfill his associate's degree. He is taking the math prerequisite currently, but he got an incomplete in another class last year. He had not been able to make contact with the teacher and thought this grade would turn to an F and he would have to retake the class. As I prayed about it, I had the clear impression that he should email the department and explain to them. I helped him do this and he immediately got a response telling him she is teaching a class this semester and gave him instructions on where she was teaching so he could connect with her. It happens that it was one floor down from a class he has. He went down to meet her, talked with her and she said she will email him the rubric for the only assignment he is missing. Once he completes the paper, she will change his I to a grade!

Sometimes I feel like I am too involved in the education and lives of my children, but these two sweet inspirational experiences have brought me peace in two ways. One, it's ok that I am concerned and involved. Two, I need not feel guilt that may hinder such inspiration.