Think Family.Net

I have always known that there was a reason that I was put on this earth. The question has always been, for what? My answer was, usually, to be a good mom. Now, eight years into my daughter’s life and a year and a half into my son’s life, I have realized that there is so much more to being a good mom, than I had previously thought. Not only is my job as a mother to make sure my kids are fed and clothed and all that stuff – I also have to do everything in my power to keep our family strong. That means working on each individual relationship and helping the other members in our house realize the rewards that a strong family can bring. It’s not always easy. I definitely have my moments where I feel like I want to give up (temporarily), but I keep on and it pays off. I have also realized that I must help my kids and anyone else who might be reading not to make the same mistakes that I made.

Now that I’ve told you my purpose in life, let me give you a little background information about me. I am 26 years old, but due to an early start in life – I have a lot of experience. I graduated high school a year early, intending to go to college and get a degree in something. (I had not decided then what my path would be.) At 17, I THOUGHT I knew everything. I was in love or what I thought was love at the time. I married the wrong boy at 17. My daughter was born before my 19th birthday. Things were very stressful for us. Neither one of us had a college education or a good job for that matter. Coming from a divorced home, I had no idea what a good relationship was supposed to be like. I did whatever it took to try to keep the peace in our house, even if it meant going against my own conscience. I won’t get into details, and no I didn’t do illegal things, but I did many things that made me hate myself. I became depressed and ended up on anti-depression medicine by the age of 20. Our household was full of fighting and abuse. It was a horrible environment for my daughter to be brought up in, and I knew it. I tried to mask the pain with alcohol and other things (unsuccessfully). I knew that if I didn’t make an escape soon, it wouldn’t be long before I was dead.

When my daughter was 4, I made the final break and got my life back. I met and married a wonderful man who is great with my daughter. Together we have a 16 month old son and a strong family. I believe I have found what true happiness is. To me, True happiness is being proud of yourself and being free to grow as an individual. You can’t be truly happy, letting someone else control and shape your life. I have also discovered real love. Not the “do this or I don’t love you” love. But the kind of love that says, “hey, I love who you are and what you stand for even though you aren’t perfect” and “I know you are going to make mistakes, but I will be there to hold you in the end.” I am now enjoying the trials and tribulations of being a mother with a great man by my side. I am almost done (by almost I mean, closer than when I started!!!) with a degree in psychology. Right now I am taking classes online so that I can put more time and effort into the lives of my family members. I hope someday to use my knowledge and experience to help others. This is where this website comes in. I’m hoping that somewhere, someone out there will read my posts and be touched. Maybe I can save a life or a marriage or something… Those are my hopes and dreams!