Most of my friends spend Saturdays with their families…soccer games in the fall, baseball games in the spring. Some swim all year long or attend gymnastics meets every weekend.
My typical daughter, Kate, would love to play soccer in the fall and spring, go to dance-lessons 3 nights a week AND be a competitive gymnast. Her energy and drive amaze me. But our family isn’t able to live at the same pace as typical families.
We are able to participate in one extra-curricular activity per season. Kate was in gymnastics in the fall. Canon played basketball in the winter. And Anne is in robotics therapy this spring. This is how I spend my Saturday mornings – watching Anne in CHOA’s multi-million dollar robotics lab!
This is not the typical “extra-curricular activity,” but it is for our family! Even though I know this is what is best for Anne, I still struggle with guilt. I worry that I’m cheating Kate out of opportunities that would develop her natural athletic ability.
All families struggle – our struggles are just different than the typical family. But the joys far outweigh the struggles. I just hope Kate feels the same way.
Crayons In My Water 
Kate will be changed because Anne is her Sister (and already is) but time and time again I’ve seen with my Hugs and Hope/Love Unfolding kiddos, it is in a GOOD way.
Siblings have “more” to them, when they arrive at the cusp of adulthood. They understand the pros and cons of things, and “the bigger picture” and are able to make wiser choices, avoiding some of the pitfalls many tend to make. So, along with what we may view as a down side, it has an up side as well. (the key is letting go so we don’t land on our heads, grin).
So, is Kate, are Kate and Cannon missing out on some things? Yes. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
It’s sooo easy to forget that God’s got this, and therefore He can fill in the blanks in ways we never dream/ed.
All He asks of us is that we clean up, show up and give each day, each decision, each thing in front of us, our very best.
So please allow us to help you kick guilt to the curb, for it has no place in your life.
You are doing an amazing job being Mom, mentor and the heart of your family. You do indeed have balance.
Much love, warm support, thanksgiving and prayer-songs continuing to steadily flow…..
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This is a good lesson for some “normal” families. Yes, it’s great to keep our kids involved in healthy activities , but I doubt most of us have put as much thought and prayer in involving them as you have needing to restrict them from involvement. “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord” Proverbs 16:2 Your motives are pure and you will be blessed dear lady.
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