Hey guys, Miggy here. As many of you know when I don’t have a current spotlight I post one from the archives and today I was thinking about sweet Lincoln. His original spotlight was in October of 2011 (one of my very first ones!), but he passed away unexpectedly in March of 2012–5 years ago...
We landed in Florida the night before our cruise left (which I always recommend since you never want to risk a late flight and missing your cruise). We were going to stay in a hotel, but our friends, who we were cruising with, said they were staying the night at their cousin’s house and they’d...
I just wanted to comment on the kid entitlement issue. I have two kids (older than yours, 13 and almost 11), and we are heading on our second Disney cruise this summer. My kids rarely want for anything. It's been a little easier to talk about these issues as they've gotten older. We talk a lot about how much of life is luck (we are completely non-religious) — that so much of our lives are due simply to being born into white, upper middle class homes in America. Apparently I did a little too much, though, because then one of my kids told me how much he felt guilty about all the privileges he enjoys. So we've expanded our discussions to include ideas like: we didn't ask for or may not especially deserve this privilege, but since we were lucky enough to get it, one of our jobs in life is to use it for good, and give back, both with money and time. Books like "I Will Always Write Back" have spawned more excellent discussions. I think it's one of those things you have to continually revisit as your kids get older. But, like you, I think it's worthwhile. Glad you (mostly) enjoyed your cruise; I have to admit, I am looking forward to ours, because I think I did less "mom" work on it than any other trip!ReplyCancel
Yes! I agree that these are those life-long, consistant conversations you have over and over again. Enjoy your cruise! Glad to see your kids are still excited about them even in the tween and teen years. And yes–I agree that I actually feel like I can relax a little on vacation, rather than it feeling like a business trip. (Stay at home mom, vacation = business trip ha!)
ReplyCancel
Erin – thank you for mentioning "I Will Always Write Back". I have children the same age as yours, we are also non-religious, and I've also been telling them how fortunate they are to have what they have (with luck playing a very major role). I've also been trying to instill a sense of "to whom much is given, much is expected" (to quote the Kennedys) in them. I just ordered this book for both to read.ReplyCancel
Miggy, well, full disclosure, this cruise is one my parents are taking our entire family on in celebration of a family milestone. So, talk about privilege! Since the kids are older we've planned more "big kid" excursions, and their cousins will be on the ship as well. But yes, they are definitely still excited! ReplyCancel
SO worth it!!
I like this comment above on entitlement. It sounds like it takes consistency, and time, as in years, for the kids to really understand. Keep doing what you're doing– the talks, the consequences, the future gratitude journals, annnnd even the fun things that you have the privilege of doing (because NOT doing them out of principal teaches a different kind of lesson that isn't any better!) — and it (the understanding, the gratitude) will happen. Also, you're a seriously awesome mom, with seriously awesome kids. ReplyCancel
My three grown boys have been to Disneyworld countless times as their Mom (me) is addicted to it. We also traveled overseas frequently throughout their childhood, which greatly shaped their perspective of privelege . This has been the greater gift in molding them into the fine, empathetic young men they are today.ReplyCancel
I think your "reality" changes once you've had a child with any sort of medical issues / birth defects. I know that life's too short. I've handed my baby over to a surgeon when she was 40hours, 6 weeks, 4 months and 3 years old. 3 out of 4 surgeries were involving her heart. Fact is – we've literally faced hell and survived.
The baby was recovering from her first heart surgery and I was whispering in her ear, "I'm going to get you healthy and out of this place. Then we're going to Disney World". And that's exactly what we did. We talk often about how "lucky" we are to have been able to experience what we have (4 Disney cruises for them; countless visits to Walt Disney World, and an amazing trip to Disneyland via Adventures By Disney). But spending time with other grateful families we've met through our volunteering at the local children's hospital has given the girls perspective. They know that there are many families who went through worse medical crisis's than us.
I came across this quote today, "We didn't realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun"
As my oldest approaches the college years, we recognize how short our time with them will be. We're looking at one or two more "amazing vacations" before she's off living her own life. But we'll have these memories.
"I think your "reality" changes once you've had a child with any sort of medical issues / birth defects. I know that life's too short" SO true. Life is too short. And while I certainly want to teach my kids about gratitude and entitlement, I know that part of the problem is my own sense of guilt… I don't want that to be a driving force in their lives, even if it sometime is still something I'm working on. And yes, the years are really flying by…I see that and feel it more than ever. ReplyCancel
Thank you Miggy for your posts, always, and for this one, the last part on entitlement. With our 8 and 5 year olds it's something I've been thinking about a lot. As we all do:). We, and I have to say in large part because of my mama, have volunteered at a food depot on a regular basis. Want to do more as they kids get a bit older. We also started the "kindness calendar" during last advent season. So for all days in december, we modified a calendar with an act of kindness every day- smile at someone you don't know at school, make a thank you note for a teacher, volunteering in community, making cookies for local fire fighters, donating money to a loca "empty stocking fund," etc. it went really well. And the most important – conversations through out the week, context and gratitude.
Thank you for the ideas of posters- feel like I am always searching for ways to do it better. ReplyCancel
We are going on our first Disney cruise, 15 nights transatlantic. We are so exited!
And yes, gratitude is so important to understand. My kids are still little but we have conversations often about appreciating what we have. Having huge house with a pool, and friends who have it too, does not give a real life perspective.
Premium lines offer a fantastic item at a more reasonable cost. The larger part of these cruise ships convey under 2000 travelers. Premium Cruise lines incorporate such top choices as Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line, Hapag-Lloyd Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises and Peter Deilmann Cruises.Last Minute Cruises
ReplyCancel
A portion of these highlights may be a fractional glass body for survey angle or inner saunas. Current yachts can be furnished with such huge numbers of extra highlights that the rundown truly is perpetual.for more info
ReplyCancel
Amazingly accommodating post. This is my first time i visit here. I found such an extensive number of captivating stuff in your blog especially its trade. Genuinely its unprecedented article. Keep it up. full day dhow cruise khasab
ReplyCancel
Nice and informative post, thank you such a nice sharing, we can hope find more from you on this thank you.
khasab beach camping
ReplyCancel
There are three classifications of cruise lines to browse: Luxury Cruise Lines, Premium Cruise Lines and Mainstream Cruise Lines. All of which have distinctive kinds of boats to consider.tenerife boat trips
ReplyCancel
Hi, my name is Rebecca but I’ve gone by Becky most of my life. My husband Scott and I were both born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, have been married for 7 1/2 years and have 3 kids aged 5, 3, and 16 months. Before having kids I taught middle school in inner city...
Hi Kelly–Ithanks for being a faithful reader! I'm not sure what you mean by "bait and switch." The truncated posts are so that my actual blog can have more posts show up on my actual blog–so people can scroll down faster and see which posts they want to read. Also, it helps with loading to have fewing pictures per page. ReplyCancel
Wow-eee. We’ve had quite the week around our house. The day after we got home from vacation Zuzu got croup. Then Lamp got strep. Then PSP was diagnosed with mild pneumonia. And just for good measure I woke up Sunday morning with a sore through and body aches. Not our best week, but on another...
Good luck on your decision. Sometimes, with prayer, one of us feels a little more sure than the other & if the "unsure" one of us isn't getting a "no", then we go with what the "sure" one thinks. We did the mall for piercing, but I think your experience sounds better. We had it done for Scarlet @8 yrs, but had to redo @ 9 & that's been much better. Also, I work in a pedo dental practice now. I love it! And it made me think of y'all;) ReplyCancel
I deactivated my fb account shortly after the election in November because it was just all too much…and way too depressing. I've given up fb before for lent so it's not like I've never gone without. But what really struck me this time is how much everyone uses fb as a soapbox and it drives me insane. I'm now on 0 social media platforms and it's kind of amazing. I know I will miss looking back on the scrapbook- of-sorts as I have 3 young kids. But hey – at least I'm not thinking of how I should announce my 4th pregnancy 🙂 And it's also been good to not see many of my friend's posts. I find that I learn things about people that I would never know if not for fb – and they are things I wish I didn't know! Ha! For me, for the moment, the cons outweigh the pros.
Good luck with your big decision!ReplyCancel
Im afraid I dont have any real insight to the prayer discussion. While Mormon myself Ive come to the conclusion that I dont need to pray about certain things. I just know. My gut my feel. ( I used to pray over EVERYTHING and agonized and worried about what if's, and was paralyzed if I wasnt sure exactly what the answer was….Now?? I dont pray about jobs- I dont feel God cares about that. Just be engaged doing good work. Whether you live in this city or that town. Bloom where you are planted and again be engaged in good work. My spouse, I knew when we were dating he was the one. I didnt need to pray about it. Anyway I have a different take on praying now and why I pray and for what. Prayer for me is to strengthen me when there are challenges, opportunity it be thankful and offer gratitude and to ask for inspiration when I need it. ( hence not needing to pray over decisions. Im seeking inspiration for those life decisions, and as such when they come up and spend time thinking them through and doing the gut check) My hope is that should I make a decision that is wrong, the gut will help. And it has. To each their own and everyone is different. and honestly mistakes can be good. so even if I set on a course that isnt the greatest- ive learned a ton too. So….who knows??!!! Best of luck!ReplyCancel
I stopped looking at FB last July when I was on vacation and just never really got back on (as a conscious choice). It was such a controlling habit and I wasted so much time not just scrolling but worrying about people/things I hardly knew and going down rabbit holes of all sorts of random topics. Even though I almost never posted, I spent WAY too much time mentally composing funny or poignant posts in my head, ugh. Like you, I worried I would miss important announcements or updates on people's lives. I have to say, I am SO GLAD I stopped looking at Facebook. I'm an all-or-none person and just finally making that choice meant I was no longer interested. It has been tremendously liberating. A lot of angst I didn't even realize I associated with checking on people is alleviated. I highly recommend just stopping for a week, then maybe extending that decision forever. I occasionally go on to check something, but the addictive quality is totally gone.
Re. making big decisions, I'm eager to hear your and others' thoughts. I've struggled with similar tensions that you've described. ReplyCancel
Know how to use your gun safely Before handling a gun, learn how it operates.
Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine. Check hereReplyCancel
The most suitable way to travel is by booking a taxi from Mumbai to Goa mumbai to goa cabReplyCancel
Corinne Meirowitz is a writer and speaker, living with a rare chronic disorder Epidermolysis Bullosa. Although her disorder has informed much of her life, it does not define her as a person and she loves exploring and observing what drives human behaviors and emotions, with no qualms of sharing her own embarrassing tales for a...
Corinne, Kudos to you for your courage in sharing your experiences as a unique person. Thank you for being so open and optimist about life with EB. If you are able to make one person laugh, to help one person cope, to help the world understand uniqueness, what a gift you have provided. Thank you so much!ReplyCancel
Karin Willison is a writer, blogger, and advocate who has cerebral palsy. She works as an editor for The Mighty and has a blog at FreeWheelinTravel.org, where she chronicles her experiences living and traveling with a disability. Karin lives in the Midwest USA with her 4 dogs, including service dogs Aria and Daisy. ***************...
By and large, it is simpler to pay for home change extends by offering things or having the money close by than it is to apply for any kind of home change credit. CutTheWood.com
ReplyCancel
When it comes to choosing a design for your fireplace, you can either have a custom design, or a ready-made design. indoor tabletop fireplaces
ReplyCancel
So you will find that this credit is likely offered on a more drawn out reimbursement period, which makes your month to month charge more moderate, particularly in the event that you can secure an advance with a low rate of intrigue.http://www.spindledesignco.com
ReplyCancel
This is cool post and i enjoy to read this post. your blog is fantastic and you have good staff in your blog. nice sharing keep it up. granite fabricators kansas city
ReplyCancel
I wrote a post last week about permission. Specifically about granting permission, to ourselves and those around us, to do things we want to do, but that might be a break from our usual script. You know, the script everyone around you is comfortable with–including yourself. The script that says, who are you to suddenly...
I so agree with you, it can be tough to change the script that you are comfortable with. I struggle with decorating with trendy things/ starting a collection and then worrying about not being sustainable (for artists or environment). Thank you for the post, you've inspired me to pluck a few flowers from the backyard and bring them to my living room 🙂ReplyCancel
This rose of a lotus flower may become the center of attraction in your garden pond. But there are many, many more kinds of beautiful garden pond plants on the market for you to choose from, and a long list of lotus, which is what this article will focus on. lotus leaf tattoo
ReplyCancel
Hey, I'm Amy!
I'm an author, artist, and disability advocate. I live with my handsome husband and three beautiful daughters in Cincinnati, Ohio.
categories
purchase when charley met emma
Let's be friends!
© 2025 This Little Miggy|ProPhoto Blogsite|Designed by Hirschi Creative