Having kids with needs in the family means parent’s social circle social life is limited to the therapies classes appointments and woking on resources for their child.
And if mom is also working, even the responsibilities are shared, it mostly falls on mother. I always talk how women are brainwashed or raised with “the caretaker“ concept. To take time out for something they enjoy or to do something for themselves. It’s such a foreign concept .
My mission is always about supporting them first then their children. keeping that in mind I organized a paint and meet up for the mothers. Grateful to the grant we got.
The place was booked couple of weeks ago and the planning began. We had space for 20 people, but we stretched our limit added a few more. that day 25 of us showed up to hang out, chitchat, enjoy some snacks and drinks.
The 3 hours ona sunday afternoon turned into laughter, jokes, conversation, and beautiful hydrangeas on the canvas. One of the mother had her cell phone right next to her with very attentive mindset, but slowly she could let go the worries and enjoy the grown-up company.
On the way back, I kept thinking how wonderful to have this kind of opportunities and places where we could belong without our kids or family responsibilities. Knowing very well that we are connected because of our children, but we still find various other threads to keep us together and keep us connected.
I also learned a few lessons not to take everything on me, include others in planning and sometime let them decide the course of the day where I can just sit and enjoy.
We’re gonna do another event soon and that would be just the rain and repeat cycle.
The mom’s exactly know the expectations in preparation. I might be able to sit back and relax and maybe take out the artist in me and nurture it because this time my painting was the worst. I couldn’t even bring it home. It was that bad.
I take solace thinking I didn’t paint well but enjoyed the company.
I cannot thank the instructor and the owner of Pinot palette. They were wonderful, kind and patient. They exactly knew that these mothers were not there for painting.but to breathe, laugh and feel like ourselves again. They provided us a no judgment zone, empathy, and some funny moment for that we are grateful.
A simple cotton for work - Saree Monday
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