The Safest Stage

There is so much to write about.

I have taken too much time away from this blog 

and so the topics on which I would like to explore here

add up in my mind, so much so that I catch

myself making lists of what to write about next on the dawsondiner blog.

In the last month a fellow mother whose children

are all older than mine said something that 

caused me to think.

We hadn't caught up with one another in what

seemed like years and were doing it for 15 minutes

on the phone, during the daunting dinner hour.

I had chosen a meal that was much too involved

and only realized the amount of work it 

demanded as I was on the phone.

We were briefing one another on what the kids 

are up to in life, how old they are, their health,

interests and so forth.

Eventually she commented, "Oh you are

in the safest stage of mothering."

That really caught me off guard.

What should my response be?

I didn't want to be in a stand alone category of mothering,

I never want to be alone doing anything, 

especially mothering.

And as I pondered those words I saw the 

truth in them.

The safest stage of mothering.

My children are all in the care of mostly me.

Now there's a frightening thought,

and yet it causes me to think of what an 

example I am being to these little eyes and ears that

observe so well all day and night.

The safest stage of mothering.

We are home a lot, more than we will be most

likely in any other stage of mothering.

I have the most say at this point than I will have later 

on in the lives of my children.

Their lives are under my care, watch, and 

dare I say control.

There it is, I said it control.

(big sigh)

Control. 

Every parent is  

at different levels on the control spectrum.

I do not want to be the parent that drives their children

from them because of too much control.

I have recently watched a friend try to shake the 

motherly control grasp.  Frightening.

Or am I on the other end of the spectrum, 

am I lacking in control?

Needless to say, I do enjoy this safe stage.

I do my best to enjoy the time for what it is.

Favorite thing:  pumpernickel pretzels paired with a very sharp white cheese ;)