Couch to 5K~Week 4

Well, today was workout #1 of week 4 in the Couch to 5K program. I have to say, I think today's workout was actually easier than the first workout of last week even though the running portions were longer. Hmmm...it'll really be interesting to see how this all unfolds. All told, we ran 1.5 miles and walked 1 mile today.

A New Attitude

The past week has been a great one! It's like I've had a revelation, a new breakthrough in my struggle with infertility. I feel great about my family as it is. Reading these books on parenting only children has really given me a new perspective and a much needed attitude adjustment. I'm so happy with our little family the way we are and the only way I want it to change is if it is God's will. I'm feeling contentedness wash over me and it's a great feeling. I'm looking forward to using my mental energy to build myself and others up instead of dwelling on what I can not do. I want to invest that energy into my marriage and my role as a mother.

I've been reading Parenting an Only Child: The Joys and Challenges of Raising Your One and Only by Susan Newman and The Only Child: Being One, Loving One, Understanding One, Raising One by Darrell Sifford.

Notes on Raising an Only Child

1) Teach the joy of serving others. The world does not revolve around the only child.

2) Teach them not to expect to always get their way.

3) Define acceptable behavior and be strict about it: interrupting, using manners, picking up after themselves,

4) Don't do for the child what he can do for himself. "The expectation that things will be done for you can carry over into adulthood and marriage."

5) Don't always be available for his entertainment. He needs to learn to entertain himself.

6) Don't give him everything he wants. Make him work and save for a special purchase.

7) Do not weaken once you have taken a stand: one more story, 5 more minutes, etc.

Only Children Can Do Great Things

I've decided I need to be more open as far as family planning options go. For as long as I can remember I've wanted to have 2 or 3 children of my own. That was it...the only way to be complete. In light of the current circumstances, I've realized I need to widen the path to contentedness. Of course another baby will always be welcome in our family, but I need to be open to the other possibilities: adoption and happily raising an only child are the ones that immediately come to mind. I need to find peace with the only child scenario and if God leads us to adopt, or blesses us with another biological baby that's something we can deal with at the time.

I've started reading a book by Susan Newman called, The Joys and Challenges of Raising Your One and Only: Parenting an Only Child. I have to admit, after looking only at the negative things about having an only child, it is refreshing to read about the many positive and beneficial aspects to it, both for parents and child. It gives me a whole new perspective and is very encouraging.

I'm finding several of the traits common to only children are already present in G. He has an "increased and advanced vocabulary" simply due to the fact that he is surrounded primarily by adult conversation. We take the time to explain things to him and talk things out more, so he is learning more about reasoning. He also shows leadership qualities and creativity.

It is interesting to me to learn that only children actually have a slight academic advantage as well as an income advantage later in life. They are generally better-adjusted to adult life and have a high self-esteem. All of these things can be attributed to the special, undivided attention they receive growing up. Parent-child relationships are often very close as well. And hey, they don't have to deal with sibling rivalry or parental favortism.

I am so glad that I am taking the time to explore this point of view. It is really helping me to see that G won't be maimed for life if he doesn't have a sibling, and in many ways, he will actually be better off.

Resolutions

You know what? I'm just going to blog my little brain out today. Let's talk about New Year's Resolutions. I've got some this year, and they don't include weight loss (although I wouldn't mind losing about 5 pounds). They are a stretch for me, but I believe I can do them.

My first resolution is to spend more time with God. Last year was a turning point in my life. I've always been a Christian, but last year my relationship with God became more personal. I got involved with a ladies Bible study group (I love you girls!), and learned about how God speaks to us. If I seek after Him, I will find Him. That's my goal for this year...to always seek after God, reading His Word and hanging out with people who love Him. It's made a huge difference for me so far and I want to start spending time with him daily instead of once or twice a week.

My next resolution is to train for and run a 5K. It doesn't necessarily have to be a race, but I want to be able to run 3 miles in one workout. This is a stretch for me because I am not a runner. I've never really liked it. I HAVE run a 5K before, but I was 8...a LONG time ago. Since then, I think the most I've ever run is about a mile and a half. With all the disappointments I've had with my body, I want a challenge that I am capable of overcoming. I want a reason to be proud of myself and what my body can do. I want to face this head-on and beat the crap out of it. LOL!

Resolution #3 concerns beauty. It's a simple way to make myself look prettier for my husband. I will wear some kind of lip gloss or lipstick daily.

My last resolution is something I've thought about doing for a while now, but never have. I will buy myself one new outfit each month. I HATE spending money on myself, but I also hate the old outdated clothes in my closet. My husband is excited about this one...I am too. It will be nice to actually have clothes that I like and that fit properly. Yay!

A Family of Three

Today I'm feeling pretty good about the prospect of "only" being a family of three. I've struggled for over 3 years now with the painful reality that I probably will never have another child. This is certainly not what I had envisioned for myself. I always figured I'd have two or three children, but it's not playing out that way. It's been hard to let that dream die, and I'm still not totally there. But I am starting to see the benefits of having an only child. I treasure the time I get with my son, and I know that time would be divided if he had a sibling. I'm starting to think that maybe I wouldn't make a good parent of 2 or more. I don't always have the patience I need for just one. How would I spread my time, patience, mySELF over more than one child? How would I be able to provide everything I am capable of to more than one? How would I juggle the needs of everyone at once? It's hard enough trying to juggle the needs of our little family of three. It's also comforting to me to read the stories of only children who turn out just fine, and have this wonderful, close relationship with their parents. I CAN do that! I should be looking at the things I CAN do, and not dwelling on the things I can't. I have to daily put my trust in God, that He knows what size our family should be, and he will bless us according to His will. He already has blessed us with our son, and for that I am forever thankful!

Introduction

I'm really just trying out the idea of blogging. I think it's a good idea to have all my favorite links and lists in one place just in case of total computer meltdown. :-)

I'm a private person who can't stand confrontation, but oddly enough, chooses the less-traveled road. I'm a Christian, a wife of almost 10 years, and a stay-at-home-mom to one miracle child. I'm into homeschooling, natural health, knitting, scrapbooking, photography, and reading.

I guess that's all I'll say about myself for now.