Early Mornings

We deliberately woke before 6 am this morning so we could take part in a community breakfast benefiting high school bands, that also included some really great music.  Our son, wearing bunny ears and his spiderman blanket, loved the music and the pancake breakfast. 

Getting him to put a jacket on to walk to school was another question.  I had to wonder why my insistence he put it on and his insistence it not go on were equally important to each of us.  In the end I heard myself explain that I am much older than he is and therefore know better.  But in fact, at four he probably does know if he is cold or not.  So why fight with him?  He sounds as if he is coming down with a cold, and I was worried it would get worse if he didn't keep warm. So perhaps he is fighting against my worrying over him, and I am fighting to keep coddling him while I can.

More Time

So dropping out of 9 to 5 life does have an upside.  This morning after walking my son to school I went for a run.  I also had time to talk with a friend, work a little on my writing, do up the dishes, and prepare my day - and the afterschool children arrived early today at 11:50 today;  the other days I have until 1:45, so a good five hours to myself.

Transitions

Watching my son navigate his way through the schoolground holding hands with a little friend, knowing he is feeling excited and scared about going to school has me thinking about all the first times in our lives.  A niece recently started college, a friend's son highschool.  My Dad contemplates moving from his house to a senior's apartment.  All of these changes are a transition from one place or phase to another, and each involves firsts: first days, first friends, first visits, first classes.  They all also involve being in unfamiliar territory.  For my son I don't believe it is as important that he become comfortable in kindergarten as much as it is that he learn the process of moving from familiar to unfamilair territory.  And learn, or course, that every transition is easier when you hold the hand of a friend.

Still Looking

I don't have a 9-5 job.  I had one.  A permanent one.  That paid a lot. But I didn't like it.  I felt as if I never had time to myself. So I quit. Now I am looking after children after school, so I have my mornings to devote to creative expression. I feel like this act of giving up financial security puts me on the fringe of society.  I named my blog so I could document the upside of my new lifestyle.

I'd like to tell you that the benefits of living on the fringe are readily apparent, but alas, I'm still looking for them.  Through the process of elimination I can tell you the benefits are not financial.