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Teeter Totter ~ Finding a Balance Between Me-Hood and Motherhood
Gender: female Date of Birth: January 01, 1973 Member Since: September 11, 2007 Last Signed In: November 20, 2009 Blog Views: 14722 Send To A Friend Sign Guestbook Add as a Friend
Growing That Acorn
Faith Need vs Want A Tight Budget Holiday The Play Priority Disney’s A Christmas Carol – A Mom Review Making it Easy on Yourself When It Rains… You Are Here Halloween with Older Kids September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 Teeter Totter Finding a Balance Between "Me-Hood" and "Motherhood" In this blog I'll be covering as wide a variety of subjects as the duties of a real mom in today's culture. From raising special needs children, family vacations, marriage, relationships, sex, cooking, local to-do, school (both for you and the children), working, hiring a daycare provider, arts and crafts, decorating, holidays, to well... EVERYTHING! No holding back. 
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Celebrating Transitions
One drawback to living in a “Melting Pot” society is our lack of clear-cut customs. Many cultures have their own rituals and ways of celebrating the many transitions in the life of a child, especially when that child transitions from “kid” to “young adult.” As a young woman my mother took my best friend and me out for a “period party” fancy dinner. At the time, I was a little embarrassed about it, but enjoyed getting the gift of a new outfit. I did feel important, and enjoyed how my parents viewed me in our family had shifted upon this physical sign of blossoming womanhood. Many cultures have even more powerful customs when it comes to young men. They may have a Bar Mitzvah and welcome young men into their religious culture, or some have their ears pierced by the tribe elders. I’ve always tried to honor my child and recognize his transitions as he grew into a man. Turning from 12 to 13 (an “official” teenager) was a big deal. Leaving 6th grade and going onto Jr. High School was a big deal (and when he got his first cell phone.) Now that he’s leaving Jr. High School and transitioning to High School (in Davis this happens after 9th grade), I wanted to throw him a family party. Since he didn’t really “graduate” yet, but it is a big deal, I decided to just call it a “Hooray for Man-Cub” party. Saying “goodbye” to youth and “hello” to young-adult hood. We’re keeping it just family and man-cub got to pick the menu. We got him some very “adult” gifts. A beautiful black leather laptop bag (at his new school each student is assigned their own laptop) and a special necklace that I commissioned my sister-in-law to make for him. We’ll have a nice dinner on our patio this Saturday, and all spend time with man-cub and honor him. I think it will be a very special day for him and am very glad we’re marking this transition with a celebration. What are some transitions in your culture, or that you enjoyed when you were growing up? Are you planning on continuing them with your child? 4 comments from 2 users
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posted by
patiencengrace
on Jul 7, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Our daughter turns 18 in a few weeks and a transition ceremony that we plan to have is Cutting the Apron Strings. I read about it somewhere and it sounded like a sweet and fun symbol of signifying that she is entering adulthood. If anyone has seen or heard of this, I'd love to get more details of how to do it. Wrap an old apron around her and we cut the strings that we're holding? What significant things could I tuck into the apron pockets that would be useful to her adult life, either symbolically or literally?
posted by
creatress
on Jul 7, 2009 at 02:03 PM
I've never heard of this, but think it's a great idea. We did something similar in my son's "Coming of Age" ceremony at our UU church. But he held a ribbon at one end and I held the other, then it was cut in half. Good luck finiding out information on this. Be sure and keep me posted on how it goes and what you end up deciding to do. It sounds like a wonderful idea. posted by
patiencengrace
on Aug 21, 2009 at 12:52 PM
We made it! Our daughter turned 18. She's happy, healthy, and off to college next month to become a nurse. My plans to have an apron string cutting ceremony changed when my husband said "Nooooooo! Not yet!" He suggested we lengthen them instead until she's out of college and fully on her own. So I bought a nice apron and tied about three feet of ribbon onto the end of each string. Her best-friend-since-birth spent the night before her birthday and in the morning I presented the wrapped up apron. A gift of an apron with yard of strings brought a very confused look. When I explained the significance her friend said the idea was sweet. My daughter rolled her eyes. Both responses were exactly what I'd expected. I love having teenagers around the house. Parents, don't let people scare you about the teen years. It's the young ages that are the hardest. posted by
creatress
on Aug 21, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Awww, that's so sweet! Thanks for sharing. I'm sure your daughter will look back on that moment with great fondness. How cute that your husband wasn't ready yet.
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