Impact

This week while teaching I have been thinking about the impact which you have on a child. I look at some of my students and think that they must get away with a lot at home. I look at some others and think that they must have very firm boundaries at home. I see the mums who just can't seem to let go, and I see the kids who see more of school than home. It is amazing how much responsibility comes with being a parent. I have always known this but it is pretty scary to think that Bubble has been entrusted into our care, and to think how am I going to be as a parent. What impact will I make?

I am hoping that James and I will make a very positive impact where the child feels loved and cared for, knowing that they are so special to us. I am hoping that I will be able to teach my child to be themself and to not be worried about what other people think about them (I have a student who is too scared to do news because she thinks she will get payed out by others). I am hoping that Bubble will be down to earth - not needing to wear the latest fashions, go to all the cool place, but understand the joys of hanging out with family and relaxing at home or at a park. I am hoping that Bubble will make great friendships and enjoy playing with others. I am hoping that Bubble will feel God's love in its life and choose to follow God one day. 

Another thing which is constantly on my mind is the thought of 'what if Bubble has autism?' I know this is silly as we will love it and raise it no matter what. But still, each year at school I have taught a child who is on the autism spectrum and early on I joked saying 'I hope God isn't preparing me for a child with autism'. It is something that is a possibility and I guess I have the bonus of working with students who have it so I know some strategies for both them to manage and me too, but still it is something which is in the back of my mind. I also wonder if I will be able to accept it if Bubble does have autism, as some students that I teach have clear symptoms but their parents don't want to 'label' their children. I hope I will be able to acknowledge it if it is there, and I do feel it helps both the child and the teachers and those they interact with when people can understand why they act differently. Don't worry, I'm not freaking out about it, just something that is in the back of my mind.

I am so grateful that both my parents and James' parents raised us in such a loving way, where we did feel loved, valued, cared for, and were allowed to be ourselves. (and I'm not just saying that knowing that both sets of parents will be reading that). I guess when you have that as your foundation, then those features will filter into your own family life too.