1cul·ture
noun \ˈkəl-chər\
: the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time
: a particular society that has its own beliefs, ways of life, art, etc.
: a way of thinking, behaving, or working that exists in a place or organization (such as a business)
Full Definition of CULTURE
1
2
: the act of developing the intellectual and moral facultiesespecially by education
3
: expert care and training <beauty culture>
4
a : enlightenment and excellence of taste acquired by intellectual and aesthetic training
b : acquaintance with and taste in fine arts, humanities, and broad aspects of science as distinguished from vocational and technical skills
5
a : the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations
b : the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; also : the characteristic features of everyday existence (as diversions or a way of life} shared by people in a place or time<popular culture> <southern culture>
c : the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization <a corporateculture focused on the bottom line>
d : the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic <studying the effect of computers on printculture> <changing the culture of materialism will take time — Peggy O'Mara>
6
: the act or process of cultivating living material (as bacteria or viruses) in prepared nutrient media; also : a product of such cultivation
from
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture
Yes, a long, long, time ago, well at least 8 years ago, I was also a wife, daughter, teacher and actress. Well, actually, I still am those roles but definitely some days overshadow other days and I grab the hat I need the most in the moment. Definitely over the last 8 years the mommy hat seems to overshadow the rest. But as both of my daughters are now in school I am emerging (sort of) out of this kind of overwhelming fog of yes, I am this independent, strong willed, creative person too! Amidst running to soccer and tennis and Chinese and ballet and...(the list goes on)...I realize, there are things I want to do, I want to get better at. I am always amazed at all the mothers I meet and how they make it all work.
We recently moved from Manhattan Beach, CA to Brentwood, TN which from my observation are both affluent, fast moving, beautiful landscapes and filled with amazing mothers. As I was reflecting on all the mini vans and the toned after baby bodies that mommy hood has become such a culture. More so than what it was back when I was growing up, my perception of what it was like for my own mother and the arguments we now have over parenthood. I also think of the amazing mothers who I met while teaching in Compton and South Central who showed such strength and commitment to their children. There is this race to keep up, give our children the competitive edge and I find its become pretty exhausting. There are so many questions to obtain balance between activities, academics, spiritual growth, relaxation (need to look up that word!) and family time. Oh right, then there is exercise, nutrition, time to create, time to sleep, time to socialize. Then there is always the question of the future. Am I saving money for college? Will they go to college? Can I afford my retirement? Can I help support my own parents? Worry, worry, worry... I'm sure I am not alone.
I hope you will join me on my journey of finding my way back to myself while still managing being a mommy. I will share some of the struggles that go on in our daily lives.
My oldest daughter has had challenges once she set off to school. My husband and I talk daily about applying labels and tossing them aside...like, ADHD, Asperger's (oh, wait, that doesn't count anymore)---High Functioning Autism, ODD, PDD, bipolar --- quirky kid, artist... I have had an arduous journey navigating school systems and IEP. She is a puzzle, not quite fitting under anything and sometimes showing qualities of all of these. But one thing is certain, if she has a diagnosis, she is definitely on the borderline, allowing her to fall easily through the cracks of what is expected of her and what services she receives and has made me feel at least, like I need to fight tirelessly for her rights yet feeling blindfolded since I am not a developmental pediatrician/ neurologist/psychologist/ nutritionist...the list goes on. But as a parent, as the best advocate for my child...those are the hats I sometimes have to play dress up with to try and see life through her eyes.
My youngest was easy. She easily assimilated into school. She had tons of friends. She could easily transition from one activity to another. Although now with the chaos of moving and mommy always worrying about her sister, she too sometimes shows this kind of crazy behavior at home and at school...but who wouldn't? Isn't that the way you get attention around here?
Welcome!
Hello there and welcome to my blog! My name is Laura Franklin. I am a mother of two amazing, strong-willed, creative, mind of their own, little girls....that's all that I seem to remember about myself...wait...no...there was more, I am sure of it!Yes, a long, long, time ago, well at least 8 years ago, I was also a wife, daughter, teacher and actress. Well, actually, I still am those roles but definitely some days overshadow other days and I grab the hat I need the most in the moment. Definitely over the last 8 years the mommy hat seems to overshadow the rest. But as both of my daughters are now in school I am emerging (sort of) out of this kind of overwhelming fog of yes, I am this independent, strong willed, creative person too! Amidst running to soccer and tennis and Chinese and ballet and...(the list goes on)...I realize, there are things I want to do, I want to get better at. I am always amazed at all the mothers I meet and how they make it all work.
We recently moved from Manhattan Beach, CA to Brentwood, TN which from my observation are both affluent, fast moving, beautiful landscapes and filled with amazing mothers. As I was reflecting on all the mini vans and the toned after baby bodies that mommy hood has become such a culture. More so than what it was back when I was growing up, my perception of what it was like for my own mother and the arguments we now have over parenthood. I also think of the amazing mothers who I met while teaching in Compton and South Central who showed such strength and commitment to their children. There is this race to keep up, give our children the competitive edge and I find its become pretty exhausting. There are so many questions to obtain balance between activities, academics, spiritual growth, relaxation (need to look up that word!) and family time. Oh right, then there is exercise, nutrition, time to create, time to sleep, time to socialize. Then there is always the question of the future. Am I saving money for college? Will they go to college? Can I afford my retirement? Can I help support my own parents? Worry, worry, worry... I'm sure I am not alone.
I hope you will join me on my journey of finding my way back to myself while still managing being a mommy. I will share some of the struggles that go on in our daily lives.
My Mommy Life
My oldest daughter has had challenges once she set off to school. My husband and I talk daily about applying labels and tossing them aside...like, ADHD, Asperger's (oh, wait, that doesn't count anymore)---High Functioning Autism, ODD, PDD, bipolar --- quirky kid, artist... I have had an arduous journey navigating school systems and IEP. She is a puzzle, not quite fitting under anything and sometimes showing qualities of all of these. But one thing is certain, if she has a diagnosis, she is definitely on the borderline, allowing her to fall easily through the cracks of what is expected of her and what services she receives and has made me feel at least, like I need to fight tirelessly for her rights yet feeling blindfolded since I am not a developmental pediatrician/ neurologist/psychologist/ nutritionist...the list goes on. But as a parent, as the best advocate for my child...those are the hats I sometimes have to play dress up with to try and see life through her eyes.
My youngest was easy. She easily assimilated into school. She had tons of friends. She could easily transition from one activity to another. Although now with the chaos of moving and mommy always worrying about her sister, she too sometimes shows this kind of crazy behavior at home and at school...but who wouldn't? Isn't that the way you get attention around here?
My Married Life
Oh right...I'm married!! To this amazing man who is making it possible to take this year to decide what I want to do when I grow up! My husband and I met in acting class about 16 years ago, started dating about 14 years ago and now have been married for almost 10 years! Wow, how time flies. I reflect back when he was the center of my universe. We used to have so much fun in Los Angeles. Times were crazy!! We saw each other through so many part time jobs while we were supporting ourselves as artists. We used to cater together at a friend's catering company. We'd spend many holidays working at the most beautiful homes in Beverly Hills and Bel Air getting paid double time and eating yummy food. I did massage, he did personal training, I became a substitute teacher and he drove limos. Then we bought our first house in Los Angeles and began to settle down. I became a full time teacher and he became an executive recruiter. Life was good but boy now with teaching I was tired! After kids, we were both exhausted. I know people warn you but you just don't know how tired you can be until you have children. My teaching hours were early and my husband's hours were late. To this day, we are trying to navigate back to each other. The last couple of years we did regular date nights and I believe that really saved our marriage.
Thought for the day:
Today I'm going to aim for balance and peace. I'm not going to let stress debilitate me. One thing at a time...
I'm truly blessed.
Thanks for joining me! I'll tell you more about my teaching career next time. For today, I'm off to Brain Balance in Franklin to get my daughter's assessment results and I'm volunteering in her class. I want to take some time to do a training video with my husband's company and I want to drop off some substitute teacher flyers in Nashville...oh and school's two hours late...hmm.. Then I need to make dinner, take the girls to tennis and pick up my husband from the airport phew! Hope I haven't worn you out! Have a great day!!!
