I’ve realized with my kids going into 9th grade and 4th grade, I no-longer have any real “long-term expectations” for them.
When we first had kids, I had all these “ideas” of parenthood with typical “kid” milestones and whatnot but one by one, they totally vanished with the wind.
I now have no expectation that either of my kids will learn to drive.
I have no expectation they will even learn to ride a bike.
I have no expectation that they will go off to college or have gainful employment.
I have no expectation of grandkids or weddings.
I have no expectation of independent living.
No. I don’t have any real “long-term” expectations for my boys. Instead, I cherish a distant hope for those things.
Don’t get me wrong, my boys are capable of SO much more than I give them credit for and I LOVE being surprised by their progress.
But when all is said and done, there’s no “guarantee” of development or progress. We do the best we can and we take what we can get.
So what expectations do I have for them?
Nothing long-term.
No. My expectations are of a much smaller scale.
Simply “contentment.”
My expectations are that they will simply make it through the school year. That they will make it through the next week.
That they will reach the end of their day and just be “content.”
When it is all said and done, my expectations for my boys was, and is, and EVER shall be, to simply “make today a better day than yesterday.”
That they can look a their lives and be happy and content with what they have and who they are.
I guess that’s really all any parent could ask for their child.
“Contentment.”
#ausome