So, The Thing Is... We Reap What We Sow


Barbara Cooper

So, the thing is… we reap what we sow.

A few weeks ago, my daughters and I planted some seeds. It was a fun project to do together because it involved digging in the dirt and talking about how plants grow, plus the sun was warm on our faces. It was a perfect day. I wouldn’t have been very surprised if the seeds hadn’t sprouted at all, since projects like this one make Jane very enthusiastic, and you’d think seeds are more fragile than her handling would indicate. Not to mention that I’d had those packets of seeds in my desk drawer for almost two years-- that’s probably not good for seeds either. But when we were finished, we had forty-eight little containers of potting soil and hope, and a very nice memory of a warm day.

Of course, I spent the next three weeks muttering under my breath as I carried all those darn containers in and out of the house since we aren’t past the freezing weather. But then, about a week ago, we noticed that our little seeds had sprouted the tiniest and most fragile plants. It seemed miraculous to the kids, and frankly, to me, too. It’s oddly comforting to think that if we plant seeds in good soil and we protect them from the cold and we make sure they have lots of sunlight, most of them will sprout. In the midst of all the uncertainty in the world, it’s a nice reminder of growth and renewal.

So then, still taking advantage of some lovely weather, the girls and I went to feed the ducks at the large public park near our house. Afterward, we decided to walk across these big soccer fields to see an arrangement of large stones that sometimes serves as an amphitheater.

Well, Ana took off running. I let her go for a bit because I know how good it feels to run full-out across a big space. Jane couldnt keep up, though, and in no time Ana was too far ahead of us and would not listen to my calls. Soon she was climbing up those big rocks. There was a man with a big dog running loose and the dog pinned Ana in a crevice – he didn’t bite her but it

RELATED ARTICLES
Help! My Kids are Overweight!
Identify the Problem and Find a Solution to your Child’s Weight Gain.
Work at Home Jobs and the Internet
People with work at home jobs should use the Internet to maximize their businesses. The first necessary Internet tool is a website. You can market and sell just about any product or service via a website.
The Pregnancy Glow and Other Myths of Motherhood
It happened during the ninth month of my first pregnancy. I was going through a department store check-out lane where a teenage girl was ringing up my purchases. She looked shyly at my burgeoning belly with an expression that could only be described as reverent.
Spending time with Chuck
I have been waking up thinking about something that happening to me and my sonChuck. I have decided to write it down while it’s on my mind.
Friends Are A Gift You Give Yourself
My oldest boy is fifteen and was a real jerk about a month ago.He had gotten pretty full of himself and acted like he was too cool for the rest of the family.Pretty typical teenager behavior, but I didnt like it.I had gotten to the end of my patience with him and laid into him about how lousy it felt to be treated that way.We ended up in a huge fight.He argued that he wasnt acting any different than normal and that I was just choosing to see things negatively.So, I laid out numerous examples of his selfish "me me me" behaviors without stopping to take a second breath.He hates it when I go off like that, but once he was ready to really talk, I came down off of my soapbox.He was close to tears.Apparently, Id hit a nerve.He confessed that his closest friends at school had been trying to tell him the same thing recently and he wasnt hearing them.Now he suddenly knew what it was they had been trying to say.He felt awful and began to make immediate changes in his behaviors towards others.He really hated the idea that he was hurting anyones feelings by being cold and uncaring.
Twin and Multiple Births are on the Rise
Did you know that the number of twin births have more than doubled since the early 1970sToday, about one of every 35 births in the United States are twins.Even more significant is the number of triplet and higher multiple births which have increased 200 percent over the last three decades.
Do your kids have a “Safety Telephone Number”If not, you should get one for FREE!
What is a “Safety Number”
How to Have the “Perfect” Christmas
“This year will be different. I vow I won’t get stressed out over presents, parties, cards, Christmas plays, putting up the tree and decorating, and all the many other tasks of the season. I will remember the true meaning of Christmas.”
Why Kids Toys Are For Kids
I have made a discovery in my adult life, kids toys were made for kids. Now I know you may be puzzled about this because we all have sat down and played with our children, but if you peer deeper into this issue you will see as I do.
The "B" Word
Former students would probably attest to the fact that few things tried my patience as much as did the statement, “This is boring!” As I reflect back on my many years in the classroom, I can’t help but feel a tad bit sorry for the first kid who made the mistake of uttering those words each year. It was rare to hear the phrase a second time because most kids vividly recalled my “sermon,” and they didn’t want to risk a repeat performance.
Power Foods for a Powerful School Lunch
There isn’t a school day that goes by that I worry about my son’s lunch. Of course, I ask myself the usual questions: Is he eating what he has in the bag Will he trade his apple for a cookie Will the school lunch he’s ordering once a week be nutritious He’s a kid! He’s not a fussy eater, but there are plenty of days that he has come home with a bag full of food. I’ll ask him “what did you eat for lunch” He always says, “nothing.” What’s a parent to do
101 Gift Ideas For All Occasions
People have forgotton about the meaning behind gifting, in a consumer driven society we are often pushed towards competing e.g. upstaing gifts and my gifts better than yours. Lets go back to basics, giving is far more rewarding then receiving its much better for your Karma. If someone gives you a list ignore it, the only time a list is applicable is for Weddings where this is a tradition. Gifting is all about imagination, and a little thinking time. For big events like Christmas buy people things they would never buy themselves.
The Most Powerful Question a Parent Can Ask…
The question I have for you drives right to the heart of the matter. It could alter that tired, haggard feeling you have at the end of a day or weekend. It could alter the life of your children for the better and the life of their future partner. More than that, it could even alter your community, because once I’ve told you the question and you’ve seen how powerful it is you’ll want to share it with your brother, sister, neighbours and friends.
The Courage to Be a Loving Parent
Most of us really don’t like it when someone is angry at us. We don’t like it when people go into resistance to helping us when we need help, instead of caring about us. We don’t like it when people withdraw from us, disconnecting from us and shutting us out. We don’t like it when people make demands on us and do not respect our right or need to say no. Many of us will do almost anything to avoid the soul loneliness and pain we feel when people treat us in angry, resistant, demanding and uncaring ways.
When Your Baby Arrives
Welcoming a newborn baby into the family is always a joyful occasion especially for first-time parents. The nine months of waiting has finally come to an end. How heart-warming it is to hear that first cry. Your baby has arrived!
Scorpios Child
Scorpios get a lot of bad press. Theyre vindictive, mean, and obsessed with sex. Thats not really fair. Scorpio rules the house of sharing. They are the stewards of sharing money, resources, love, and yes sharing each others bodies. It is their deepest most spiritual need to be completely connected, loved, and sharing from the depth of their soul. Its from this place that they are so easily hurt. Wounded Scorpios are a force to be reckoned with and yes, theyre famously ruthless and cruel. How do you keep your own Scorpio child from becoming obsessive and mean
Labeling is Disabling: Achieving Congruent Communication
A small town, somewhere in the world, was managed by a town council of seven or eight members. The council normally met once a week. One member - lets call him Bill - would invariably stroll into the council chamber exactly ten minutes after the time scheduled for the meeting.
Thrifty but Unique Holiday Gift Ideas for Young Children
It’s December, and as the holiday season drew closer, you found your preschoolersaying this to you, “Mom, I want this and that toy …My friend is going to get those from his mom. ”
Sports Psychology Guidelines for Sports Parents
Sports parents have a big impact on their young superstars. A healthy and successful sports experience will depend on sports parents ability to instill confidence and self-esteem in athletes. Read sports psychology expert, Dr. Patrick Cohns view on how to make sports a successful and fun experience.
Where Do Your Priorities Fit
An expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students when he decided to do an experiment. He pulled out a large mason jar, a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one by one, into the jar. When no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full" Everyone in the class said, "Yes."

home | site map
© 2005