Our ability to learn (E)

I decided to wear my Ravenclaw Quidditch t-shirt today. Got it from Universal Studios Hollywood when we went over the summer. I'd been to the one in Orlando some years back and remembered how huge it was. The smaller park in Los Angeles was definitely a welcome sight. The 12 year old and I enjoyed walking through Hogsmeade. She got picked for a wand pairing at Ollivander's (with audience) and so we purchased the engraved, interactive wand and several other souvenirs. I got my t-shirt. Will you please let me join the quad ball club at Pitt now? Oh, I have to be a student there. Right. 

The student. When she was 7 or 8 years old, I gave her the Harry Potter books to read. I'm sure she read them, but I later realized that she was probably too young to truly enjoy the series. She was precocious. I learned early on that she was some form of genius and I was way too eager to share my love of YA fantasy and teen science fiction with her. All the Rick Riordan books that sat on the shelf. What could I give her first? I may have let her borrow my Nook to read some Percy Jackson at 7. How time flies. I wonder what she is reading now. I wonder what happened to my Nook.

Remember when I mentioned that I'd been to Universal Orlando? If not, see first paragraph. The family enjoyed a trip to Disney and 2 days at Universal Orlando, when the student was 8, toting little sis who was under 2 at the time. 8 year old was a trooper, making the best of the sitch despite the long lines and ridiculously long walks. We also took home our share of merchandise. The robe, the wand, the bottles of Gilly Water, some Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and chocolate frogs, of course. But, truthfully, it was much too soon for that particular adventure. It wasn't because she was too young to understand the books. There were movies to help us with that. The BIG MISTAKE was bringing the baby down there. As we were leaving on the second day, a park worker called me out for looking like I was going to take the stroller on to a moving walkway. I was not. But I had had it with the park, the day, the baby, the everything. I was worked up enough to exclaim, "I hate this park!" on that marathon trek back to the car and swore that I would never come back.

What can I learn from this?

See, we can learn. The unfortunate thing is that many of the lessons for rearing the younger child were learned from raising the older child. But she will be fine. They are also very different from each other so not all the lessons were applicable. In many ways, I took a completely opposite approach. In reality, they each become their own person, regardless of what I do. While I am very invested in sowing the seeds of kindness and empathy, I don't want them to forget that they have to do things for themselves too. Yes, learn to do your own laundry, clean the toilet, not be dependent on Door Dash... but also, do things for yourself, to benefit you and make you happy. 

Figure out what makes you happy. 

Out of all the wishes I could have for my children, their health and happiness are the most important. This is the same wish I have for everyone that I love. Like a lot of things in life, these are things you have to work for. We eat properly, we exercise, we rest, we moisturize. All very important things that aid in acquiring health. Maybe that last one should have said wear sunscreen. Does not rhyme. Happiness though, does that just come because you will it to? It can be something we work towards as well. Maybe by living our best life, one day we just wake up and realize, holy s***, I'm happy.

Playlist Recommendation: Payphone (E), Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa