Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.
~Lao Tzu
Dear People-I-Have-Come-to-Honor-and-Respect,
I want to let you all know that I will no longer be participating with
the [names of groups here].
As you know, circumstances change; taking care of my family is a top priority. When I undertook each of those commitments my family was in a very different place; Nik was in school and Niksdad was just embarking upon his new career path. Now, I am home schooling Nik and coordinating his many therapies —to which he is responding very well —and Niksdad’s school and work schedule are quite demanding. He begins his last year of the RN program on August 25th and will be in a combination of classes and clinical rotations Monday through Friday (both days and evenings) in addition to his LPN job on weekends.
As Nik gets more and more active and has significant developmental bursts, I need to create some more specific structure for him so that he continues to progress; he is not the sort of child one can expect to sit and play quietly in a conference room while Mommy is in a meeting down the hall. Our childcare experiment back in April was what helped me to realize that Nik needs something different right now. I do think that some sort of on-site childcare may work for some families and should be offered as an option to encourage more parents to participate.
I did not make this decision lightly; I believe in the work we are doing and I hate to feel I amletting other people down. The truth of the matter, though, is that I would be letting my family down if I made any other choice right now. I firmly believe that advocacy must begin at home and there is much that demands my attention here now; both of my guys need my full support to be successful.
Thank you for all the opportunities you have provided for me to learn and grow as a leader, and to contribute to the success of children and families in our state.
I wish you all the very best,
Niksmom
((hugs)) I know that was a tough letter to write. You will be blessed for it and so will Nik and Niksdad, because you are right…your energy needs to be focused on them in this season. I’ve been back here for 11yrs and have yet to make any deep, lasting friendships, so I completely understand where you are at and I’m hoping you find a group of friends you can connect with very soon!
good girl
I should learn from you
maybe I will
Wow. Amazing introspection, analysis, and resolve. I agree with mom2rebels — blessings will come of this!
Hey, can I offer an unsolicited IRL network-building tip? One thing that has turned up some lovely local mama connections for me has been to create something like a business card — in Word, printed out on plain old paper — with a photo of my kiddo, our names and my e-mail & phone. I use it to turn casual conversations (in the park, at the zoo, whatever) into something more substantial. The opportunity doesn't arise every day of course, but I've built some fine playdates and mama-friends that way.
Your mileage may vary, but I bet you'll go far no matter what relationship-building methods you take up! Hugs!
Great letter. Great step forward. Great way to know when it is time to say “no.”
Can you teach me that?
On a more lighthearted note, I love that Nik “helped” you to change his pull-up by tossing it into the kitchen…hehehe. I wish you luck in connecting.
A new beginning for Niksfamily. Wishing you nothing but the best on your journey!
Well done.
Yes well done. It is hard to make room sometimes and breathe.
so proud of you! You’ve been thinking about this for a long time – how do you feel now that it’s done? Hopefully you feel a little bit lighter.
XO R