Q: I am the mother of two small boys, ages 5 and 7. They are great kids and I love them dearly but I have to admit that at times the chores of parenthood get me down.
We have not seen their father for years. I am not even sure where he is. And apart from my mom coming down on the occasional weekend to give me a time out, I am alone with the boys and what has to happen for them.
Mom tells me that things are going to get better. I am not sure why they should but I would love it if they did.
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Have you any idea what my mom is talking about?
A: Things do get better. The change is not so much in what the expectations are for you because those remain pretty much the same.
You still have to prepare most meals, keep their dressers loaded with clean, fresh clothes and fix the scrapes that come home from the playground.
The changes are in the rewards you will receive for what you do. Don’t expect that from your sons just yet. You are not likely to get genuine appreciation from them until they are in their twenties.
The rewards you will get are from watching your sons slowly master their skills in the world, from learning how to skate or play ball to solving algebra puzzles.
Life can be exciting for young boys. All that you have to do is jar them away from their computer screens long enough for them to check into the real world and they will take over from there.
This is your time to live and enjoy your children. The next stage, when they start into adolescence, can be a touch testier.
That also is easier if you use the opportunities you have at the moment to explore the world with your children and build a relationship that carries a lifelong commitment.
