Jessica Gwozdz Photography – Chicago maternity, newborn, child, and family photographer » Blog

Dear Gracie

You have been struggling a bit with organization this year.   When I tell you to put on a hat because it’s freezing outside, you can’t because over the days you have forgotten all 6 of your winter hats in your locker at school.  When I tell you to put on a sweatshirt, you realize that at least 4 of your sweatshirts are forgotten in your locker at school.  When I tell you to please bring all of that stuff home, you come home with a backpack bursting at the seams, only to realize that you have also grabbed some of your locker buddy’s clothes as well.

You will be heading to middle school in the fall.  The 4th grade teachers have been working to get you and your friends to be more organized this year.  They are trying to teach you that it’s your responsibility to be prepared and to have all of the things you need for school.  Unlike last year in 3rd grade, the teachers now will not allow you to call home if you forget your homework, your books, etc.  Instead you get a “red alert” for not being prepared.  You have figured out that if you realized you forgot something right away before you even get down to your classroom, the office ladies will let you call me to bring it.  One day this week I walked you and your brother out to the bus then came back into the house to find your folder laying on the kitchen table.  I paused for a moment, thinking about the situation.  Perhaps a red alert would be in order today.  But then I thought about you stopping in the office on your way to the classroom, interrupting my breakfast.    I know it sounds crazy but I decided to track down the bus.  I knew the next few stops in our neighborhood and I was able to deliver your folder to you on the bus.  (You’re welcome.)

When I tell you to clean up your room, to stop living off your clean laundry pile and put the clothes in the drawers, to put things back where they belong so you can find them again, to put your homework folder into your backpack as soon as you complete the homework, you complain and say “This is just how I am.”  You think I am trying to change you and to alter some fundamental part of who you are.  I love who you are but I want you to start developing habits that will make it easier for you to succeed.  I can’t always be chasing the bus with your homework folder, baby girl.  You got straight A’s on your last report card, so clearly you are doing so many things right.  You are a smart girl with a bright future ahead of you and I feel blessed to have a front row seat to watch it all unfold for you.

Love,  Mom

Now please follow the “Letter to Our Children” blog circle over to Jamie Carpenter.

Dear Henry,

Watching you and Dad together is one of my favorite things to do. Whether it’s playing tag in the yard, surfing on your ipads, reading a book, playing wii, or just relaxing, I love the dynamic between the two of you. I have read that little boys grow up to be the kind of men they see their fathers being and that little girls expectations of their future husbands are based on how they see their fathers behave. That’s a lot of pressure on poor old Dad, huh? There are so many things I appreciate about Dad, but one of the biggest ones is how affectionate he is with you. I have seen other families where the fathers are affectionate with the girls but are a little more formal with the boys. They somehow think it’s not manly to hug and kiss their sons. I think this behavior was more common a generation ago, thank goodness. Lucky for all of us, you will grow up thinking it’s normal and expected for a father to hug, kiss, and snuggle with his son and I thank Dad every day for that. I hope that as you grow older you never stop hugging Dad and that you will always continue to have the close relationship that you have now.

Love, Mom

Be sure to follow the “Letters to Our Sons” blog circle over to the lovely Elle Walker.