Comments on: Who the Hell Am I?

By: maxabella

maxabella — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 04:35:48 +0000

A work in progress seems to sum us all up, one way or another. It’s learning to think for yourself, not listen to the labels, that’s the key. You seem to do very well at that and it is very nice to meet you through this post!

PS – I recently had a complete career change at 40 and have never felt more satisfied (career wise!). What we want to ‘be’ when we grow up might take a whole life to figure out, and that’s ok.

By: Chrystina

Chrystina — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 22:00:26 +0000

I was a math and science girl, no questions asked. I can’t remember names, dates, places. I can’t conjugate. I don’t know any big words. I used to study for history tests by drawing picture books and hoping that something stuck. I would make pretty powerpoint presentations filled with data so that I could watch them and hope some of it would stick. I found out I have an eye for photography and design – but in a very engineering way – it’s all very linear and symmetrical… or purposefully asymmetrical. I have to try very hard to push myself to create something organic.. or even to use circles or free-flow squiggels. I’ve pretty much accepted all of this at this point and just tried to survive through the things I’m not good at (by smiling a lot) and trying to learn more about the things that I am good at to gain an edge.

I’m currently working a job that I pretty much have no interest in that pays decently well – but I keep on brining my own style to it and that makes it okay. I’m a people person, so I knew if I was surrounded by nice people nothing else would matter. So just ask her that – what’s something you couldn’t live without, and then just make sure she has that one thing with her – and then you can fake it till you make it with the rest.

PS. Pretty new layout 🙂

By: Maria Tedeschi (@mums_word)

Maria Tedeschi (@mums_word) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 01:58:48 +0000

I remember my mother told me not to get married before I was 25 because what I want at 18 will be different to what I want at 25. It’s such a rapid personal growth period. So deciding on what you want to do for the rest of your life at 18 also seems a little premature.

Having said that, I knew I wanted to write when I was 9. But I had to go through a few ‘testing times’ to really make sure that is what I wanted to do. All you can do is wait and see how the cards falls.

As for ‘what if’ moments… well there are so many uncontrollable variables in our life how can you determine the one thing that would have made a difference? Your daughter is and will become the person she is meant to be.

Love & stuff
Mrs M

By: shambolicliving

shambolicliving — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 21:03:43 +0000

In reply to nmsullivan0909. Both girls went to Montessori from 2 1/2 years old to just before their sixth birthdays. It was a wonderful education for them and even today I can still see the results in action. They both remember kindy as a very happy place and even now will occasionally mention things that happened there.

By: iRuniBreathe

iRuniBreathe — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 17:37:22 +0000

We all want the best for our children; I think the best we can offer them is our belief in them and encouragement in whatever they chose to do. We model the way in our own behavior. I think I’m coming to realize that children have their own personalities that has been pre-programmed and the environment they are in is just a part of what shapes their personal program.
Sounds like you are doing great for your daughter. A very good model of identity and success!

By: nmsullivan0909

nmsullivan0909 — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 12:56:07 +0000

hello janine – i love to hear about the montessori school, and using the math materials and the pouring, etc. you can’t go back, but someone told me once that a year of montessori is a gift that can never be taken away. so however much she got – i’m happy for her. i teach montessori in a combined first, second, and third grade class. we do keep using those materials. it’s a joy to watch children learn.

your child will find her way. just don’t take any “i can’t”s. tell her if she works hard enough, she can!

By: Robyn (@slightly_deep)

Robyn (@slightly_deep) — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 12:17:40 +0000

We feel the pressure younger and younger I think. But really, I don’t think anyone knows! I found motherhood a very challenging thing in terms of my identity- and I’m beginning to understand that I may never know who I am. Because we are always changing!

By: Deb @ Bright and Precious

Deb @ Bright and Precious — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 11:29:58 +0000

You ask some very wise questions, Janine. I don’t think labels are representative of who I am. They may influence aspects of my life, but for me identity runs so much deeper than that. I love that you care for your daughter so much. I am sure the freedom you give her will help her find her path smoothly. x

By: Caz

Caz — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 10:13:06 +0000

You are so right – we reinvent ourselves continually. I’m sure your daughter will figure it all out. 15 is so young to feel all that pressure.

By: shambolicliving

shambolicliving — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 07:24:30 +0000

In reply to Debyl1.

Oh gosh she does sound exactly like mine, I’ve often thought she would do really well in Philosophy – she’s always been really good at thinking about things and wondering “what if”, I think she probably would have done well in languages if she had continued with it – she did well at German for three years in primary school but then we moved the new primary school didn’t really do a language and by the time she got to high school it was French and she wasn’t that keen. I’ll take comfort from your words of advice!