The Journal of a Suburban Mom of Three
Anyone could, or at least any
mother could, conceivably write this book/blog. Although I guess not the mothers I
have seen in very different life situations. Ones who lack free time and extra
money because they are simply seeking water and food for their children each
and every day. So the musings of a suburban mom, and more specifically, this
suburban Mom in particular may only esoterically apply to other such suburban Moms.
Moms like me who awake to a new day of shuttling kids around manicured cities in
minivans equipped with DVD players, and with children equipped with high
potential due to full stomachs and security to enable self actualization. Moms
who like me hope that such a world of contentment and play will not result in
the dulling of my kids hearts or a heighten their sense of entitlement.
But even in this world of seeming
#thirdworldproblems, like for example my son’s most recent question, “Mom, is
there WiFi here?”, deeper questions do emerge. Not only do our children ask
harder questions then the one above but also simply living within American
culture brings up parenting, marital, and spiritual questions within our own
adult minds. Questions about how to teach our kids about sexuality,
spirituality, materialism, healthy living, romance, and adventure resound as we
go about our day to day routines. At times answers or truths come to each
parent along the road of raising kids or even just as maturing as an adult.
Perhaps if these snippets of wisdom could be strung together we could
collectively change the world. In my life of 36 years I’ve realized a few such
moments of clarity. Sometimes they have occurred at the valley floor of
Yosemite, watching a bear climb down out of an apple tree. Other times they
have occurred while wading through a garbage marsh in a rainstorm in
Port-au-Prince Haiti. Often they occur while going on an adventure with my kids
in my arms or on my back (and not by leaving them at home with a babysitter).
So this book/blog is written to share what I have found raising kids into adventure
and into as much real connection to nature and with others. My husband is my
co-pilot and co-adventurer on this epic journey of marriage, parenting, and
life. He plays a key role, as do my 3 children.
Each chapter will likely start with
a question. Perhaps one my child asked of me. Perhaps another that was asked by
a well-meaning but disapproving cultural observer. For in reality, my husband
and I are trying to swim up and against the current of American materialism. This
means we often encounter the questions of those befuddled by our choice: “Why
not let your children cry it out? Why bring your children to a 3rd
world country? Are you still nursing even though he is 2? Where is the TV?” As
we forge in a different direction then American culture we are also living
within the context of Christian America. Within this subculture we also tend to
swim against currents or attempt to shift the current. We know we are flawed
and do not necessarily have all the answers. But we are also confident that our
kids are learning and so are we; while we are out hiking on a new adventure we
wish more parents were with us. Lastly, some chapters in this book will simply
show personal questions we have asked ourselves and the shifting conclusions we
have come to on matters of intimacy in our marriage, addressing infidelity,
career changes, and church changes. Living a life, or in similar fashion,
writing a book, is truly an act of just asking new questions. As soon as you
have all the answers life ends. So enter into the journey of humbly asking new
questions and expecting shifting answers. As you read, answer some of the
questions within. How can you come to new places of wisdom and do the
adventures you go on help fuel these new truths. Hopefully together we can
bring you someplace new.
