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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-03-19, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, March 19, 2014 Parenthood, overwhelming or awesome? Naomi Pelss Publication or Director of Seaforth Co-operative Children's Centre, mother of three What do you think is the best stage of parenthood? There are many different stages of parenting that we go through with our children. Some parents find certain stages overwhelming, and some find them awesome. What I hear from many parents when I ask this question is the stage they are in right now is overwhelming, but when they reflect on their children's earlier stages of development, they talk about them with awe and longing. For example, the newborn stage can be completely over- whelming, especially for a first time parent. I can remember when my first child was born, the feeling of exhaustion and defeat as I stared at this tiny human in my arms that I could not console. She cried at length with impatience until I finally figured out what she needed. I can't even imagine caring for multiples or a child with special needs. The responsibility of caring for an infant and the sleep deprivation can take a toll on all of us. Overwhelming. But when I reflect about the infant years, I miss holding that tiny little precious baby. I loved laying her across my chest as we both slept on the couch for an afternoon nap. I loved watching her grow and develop right before our eyes. I was in shock that we could create such an incredibly perfect little person. Awesome. Or how about the toddler stage? Sometimes called the "Terrible Twos" and sometimes referred to as the "Terrific But, don't you remember how cute they are when they are two? Their chubby cheeks, sweet little voices, the way they run at full force to you for a hug... Twos," this stage presents brand new challenges and incred- ible moments. I remember the tantrums. Oh, there were some good ones and many of them occurred in public. Tod- dlers trying to assert their developing independence can result in some great battles. Perhaps at this stage you have a toddler and a baby. You have even more demands and, if possible, are even more tired. Now let's throw in toilet train- ing. Overwhelming. But, don't you remember how cute they are when they are two? Their chubby cheeks, sweet little voices, the way they run at full force to you for a hug, and the intoxicating smell of a freshly bathed toddler that you wrap up in a towel in your arms all the while praying they stay little forever? Awesome. How do you feel about the preschool stage? The whining, the incessant questioning, the over -active imaginations that lead to nightmares, or even more fun for the sleep deprived parent - bedwetting. Overwhelming. Ah, but they never cease to amaze us with how fast they are learning and developing. Seems like they just started walk- ing and talking and now they are learning how to read? I love the preschooler's capability for imaginary play. A box becomes a tractor or a stick a magic wand. Creativity and imagination flourish at this stage. Awesome. The next stage can be categorized as school age. This is from around age six to 12 years of age. School age children are active and have needs we haven't had to deal with yet. Homework, for one, is a new challenge. Friendships and fit- ting in may be other new challenges for some. Or you may have a child in sports. If you have more than one child in sports you find yourself driving them around every night of the week to their favourite after school activity. Overwhelming. But we can celebrate now. We survived the sleep -deprived infant years, tantrum toddler years, whiny preschool years. Our child is hopefully pretty self-sufficient at this stage and have passed the toilet training. We made it. And those after- school activities can be kind of addictive. I love to watch my son play hockey. I'm a full-fledged "Hockey Mom" now. I love how he counts down the hours and minutes until his next game, and gives his best effort every time he hits the ice because he has found something he loves. Awesome. So whatever stage you are in right now, I hope it is awe- some. If you are feeling overwhelmed, hang in there. If it is not awesome at this moment in time, you will look back on it someday and realize it was. Lions Club Draws Alzheimer Society Early Bird Winners bringing back the Fabulous 50s Cathy Elliot Seaforth Lions Club Congratulations to $100 winners Mike and Connie Mero and $60 winners Bill and Regi Whyte in the first early bird draws of the 2014 Elimination Draw. There are still a few tick- ets left. Contact Lion Bob Beuttenmiller at 527-0282 to pur- chase a ticket. The February 24th dinner meeting was held at Maplewood Manor with 12 members present. Guest speaker Farren Goos shared details of her 2013 trip to Kenya with the organization Me 2 We. She was in Kenya for a month during which time she was involved with the building of a school. Living in a tent and walking six kilometres each day to retrieve water, she experienced life without indoor plumbing and easily acces- sible water. Farren has been invited to travel with Me 2 We to India this summer for another humanitarian project. Everything is in place for the Dublin, Mitchell, Seaforth Lions Clubs' TV auction on Saturday, April 5. The auction will be broadcast on cable channel 12 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Local businesses have been most generous with their dona- tions of auction items and we thank them. This is your chance to enjoy the excitement of bidding on excellent merchandise, knowing the money raised is used for the betterment of your community. The vision statement of Lions is "to be the global leader in community and humanitarian service In keeping with this vision, donations of $3725 to 13 local and district Lions' projects were approved. Upcoming Seaforth Lions Club projects are the TV auction on April 5, the trout derby at the Lions Park on May 3, the Elimination Dinner, Dance and Draw on June 21 and the Sea - forth Lions Club 90th anniversary celebrations on July 1. Membership in Lions Clubs is open to men and women interested in local and global community service. CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 3 with a goal of $25,000 this year. "This event is an evening of great fun, fabulous food and a great way to support your local Society," said executive director Cathy Ritsema, "It's going to be the event of the year you don't want to miss." Funds go towards the iPods for Memories program, which provides music therapy to people with dementia. Alzheimer Society officials said the use of personal music devices can stimulate "incredible responses from those who are often introverted and seemingly unaware of their surroundings." Williams said the auction will offer a number of "hot ticket" items. Guests can view items at alzheimerca/huroncounty to get a glimpse of the items as they roll in. "The event committee is also seeking volunteers," Williams said. "We need people to assist us in collect- ing donations for the auction. We'll need help with set up before and people to work the night of the event. This is a great opportunity for students to get com- munity hours and practical experience for those inter- ested in a career in the non-profit or marketing sectors." To volunteer, for tickets or for information call 519- 482-1482 or visit the Alzheimer Society of Huron Coun- ty's office at 317 Huron Rd. in Clinton. t "Mr 1-11-1 671 0 e :1 1/0 .....- You are invited to attend these area churches ST. THOMAS CHURCH ST. JAMES ROMAN 21Jarvis St. Seaforth CATHOLIC CHURCH Rector The Rev. Karine Farmer WELCOMES YOU Rectory 519-482-9071 Church Office 519-527-1522 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 519-345-2972 Sunday, March 23 Sat. Mass 5 p.m. Third Sunday in Lent Worship at 9:30 a.m. Sun. Mass 9 a.m. Everyone Welcome ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN Taize Prayers Thursdays at 7 p.m. Sun. Mass 11 a.m. in Gunton during Lent FR. CHRIS GILLESPIE BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH EGMONDVILLE An Associated Gospel Church UNITED CHURCH 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Pastor Mark Kennedy Pastor Steve Hildebrand Youth Coordinator - Laura Nakamura Sunday School for all ages 9:45-10:45 SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 11 a.m. Worship March 23rd, 11 a.m. Wednesday Evenings Youth Sunday School at 11 a.m. • Youth Groups - Junior & Senior High Adults at 10 a.m. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Everyone is Welcome • Boys & Girls Club JK to Gr. 6 Earbuds and elevator available 7 - 8:15 p.m. • Adult Bible Study 7 p.m. Website: www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com Like us on Facebook 6- EVERYONE WELCOME Coming soon May 3 . The Black Family Singers NORTHSIDE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH UNITED CHURCH 59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth MINISTER MARY FLETCHER 519-527-0170 Sunday, March 23rd, 11 a.m. Rev. Linda Moffatt Lent 3 Lorne Baker - Organist Guest Speakers: Worship Trish MacGregor Sunday, March 23rd, 11 a.m. You are invited to join us in worship Sat. Mar. 22nd 5:30 p.m. St. Patrick's Pot Luck Sunday School and Nursery Provided. and Entertainment 54 Goderich St. W. All Welcome 519-527-1449 El Sunday School & Nursery Provided. (Sk• www.cavannorthsideunited.ca Office Hours: Wed. 9 a.m. - noon But, don't you remember how cute they are when they are two? Their chubby cheeks, sweet little voices, the way they run at full force to you for a hug... Twos," this stage presents brand new challenges and incred- ible moments. I remember the tantrums. Oh, there were some good ones and many of them occurred in public. Tod- dlers trying to assert their developing independence can result in some great battles. Perhaps at this stage you have a toddler and a baby. You have even more demands and, if possible, are even more tired. Now let's throw in toilet train- ing. Overwhelming. But, don't you remember how cute they are when they are two? Their chubby cheeks, sweet little voices, the way they run at full force to you for a hug, and the intoxicating smell of a freshly bathed toddler that you wrap up in a towel in your arms all the while praying they stay little forever? Awesome. How do you feel about the preschool stage? The whining, the incessant questioning, the over -active imaginations that lead to nightmares, or even more fun for the sleep deprived parent - bedwetting. Overwhelming. Ah, but they never cease to amaze us with how fast they are learning and developing. Seems like they just started walk- ing and talking and now they are learning how to read? I love the preschooler's capability for imaginary play. A box becomes a tractor or a stick a magic wand. Creativity and imagination flourish at this stage. Awesome. The next stage can be categorized as school age. This is from around age six to 12 years of age. School age children are active and have needs we haven't had to deal with yet. Homework, for one, is a new challenge. Friendships and fit- ting in may be other new challenges for some. Or you may have a child in sports. If you have more than one child in sports you find yourself driving them around every night of the week to their favourite after school activity. Overwhelming. But we can celebrate now. We survived the sleep -deprived infant years, tantrum toddler years, whiny preschool years. Our child is hopefully pretty self-sufficient at this stage and have passed the toilet training. We made it. And those after- school activities can be kind of addictive. I love to watch my son play hockey. I'm a full-fledged "Hockey Mom" now. I love how he counts down the hours and minutes until his next game, and gives his best effort every time he hits the ice because he has found something he loves. Awesome. So whatever stage you are in right now, I hope it is awe- some. If you are feeling overwhelmed, hang in there. If it is not awesome at this moment in time, you will look back on it someday and realize it was. Lions Club Draws Alzheimer Society Early Bird Winners bringing back the Fabulous 50s Cathy Elliot Seaforth Lions Club Congratulations to $100 winners Mike and Connie Mero and $60 winners Bill and Regi Whyte in the first early bird draws of the 2014 Elimination Draw. There are still a few tick- ets left. Contact Lion Bob Beuttenmiller at 527-0282 to pur- chase a ticket. The February 24th dinner meeting was held at Maplewood Manor with 12 members present. Guest speaker Farren Goos shared details of her 2013 trip to Kenya with the organization Me 2 We. She was in Kenya for a month during which time she was involved with the building of a school. Living in a tent and walking six kilometres each day to retrieve water, she experienced life without indoor plumbing and easily acces- sible water. Farren has been invited to travel with Me 2 We to India this summer for another humanitarian project. Everything is in place for the Dublin, Mitchell, Seaforth Lions Clubs' TV auction on Saturday, April 5. The auction will be broadcast on cable channel 12 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Local businesses have been most generous with their dona- tions of auction items and we thank them. This is your chance to enjoy the excitement of bidding on excellent merchandise, knowing the money raised is used for the betterment of your community. The vision statement of Lions is "to be the global leader in community and humanitarian service In keeping with this vision, donations of $3725 to 13 local and district Lions' projects were approved. Upcoming Seaforth Lions Club projects are the TV auction on April 5, the trout derby at the Lions Park on May 3, the Elimination Dinner, Dance and Draw on June 21 and the Sea - forth Lions Club 90th anniversary celebrations on July 1. Membership in Lions Clubs is open to men and women interested in local and global community service. CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 3 with a goal of $25,000 this year. "This event is an evening of great fun, fabulous food and a great way to support your local Society," said executive director Cathy Ritsema, "It's going to be the event of the year you don't want to miss." Funds go towards the iPods for Memories program, which provides music therapy to people with dementia. Alzheimer Society officials said the use of personal music devices can stimulate "incredible responses from those who are often introverted and seemingly unaware of their surroundings." Williams said the auction will offer a number of "hot ticket" items. Guests can view items at alzheimerca/huroncounty to get a glimpse of the items as they roll in. "The event committee is also seeking volunteers," Williams said. "We need people to assist us in collect- ing donations for the auction. We'll need help with set up before and people to work the night of the event. This is a great opportunity for students to get com- munity hours and practical experience for those inter- ested in a career in the non-profit or marketing sectors." To volunteer, for tickets or for information call 519- 482-1482 or visit the Alzheimer Society of Huron Coun- ty's office at 317 Huron Rd. in Clinton.