A New Chapter

I Was Thinking…

I am a proud Mom all the way around!  This week is our county’s 4-H encampment time at the Minnesota State Fair.  Over the past few years, my kids have been able to attend the fair after winning trips from our county fair.  Their Dad has always been a chaperone and they each made the trip when they were ready.

This year was a bit different.  As my children get older, they are really learning about themselves and understanding where/how they feel the most comfortable and can really vocalize that to us.  So proud of them – we’ve worked on this for years!  It used to be that when something provoked anxiety there was all kinds of sabotage: behaviors, attitudes, meltdowns, etc.. I used to have to do a lot of intentional parenting to help them be successful.  They typically enjoyed themselves once they got there or at least once they got their judging over with.  

This year, all five of the six that participate in 4-h won blue ribbons and trips to the MN State Fair, but only three of them took the trips.  A new chapter!

My middle daughter was proud of her county fair winnings, but asked me if she HAD to go to the fair.  She was able to very concisely share with me that she was glad she had been able to go the last couple of years, but that it really wasn’t for her.  She talked about it being extremely overwhelming for her - the noise, the crowd, the very size (acreage-wise) of it.  My beautiful smart daughter said one day is enough for her so she spent part of a day last week at the fair with her boyfriend.  

My oldest son decided to focus on his studies and attended classes at a local community college while his siblings went to the fair.  He did go spend an evening at the fair with his buddies.

My middle son took his video to the state fair and won a blue ribbon and acted in a play that got high honors for that night.

My youngest daughter took her beautiful art to the fair and won a blue ribbon.  

Finally, my youngest son took his entomology project to the fair and won a blue ribbon and acted in two different performances that won high awards.

They all participated and succeeded the way in which was best for each of them!  I guess 13 years of Intentional Parenting is working!  It’s all about making sure you Keep On Keepin’ On!