I wrote the other day about how I think it important for us single parents to set an example of self-care by celebrating our birthdays—even if we don’t have others to make a fuss over us. I wrote about how I have gotten comfortable doing things for myself over the years and trusting and hoping that some day, my example and modeling might have an affect on my kids. I wanted to pass on some hopeful and encouraging news to you other single parents out there. Not only did all three of my teens make an effort to be with me on my birthday this past week, but my youngest—my fifteen-year-old son actually baked and frosted a birthday cake for me!
Now, while my son has been learning to cook a bit and expressing a natural interest in grilling steaks and making other meat dishes—this was his first foray into the world of baking. Yes, it was a box cake mix and a carton of vanilla frosting, but it was delicious and he even put it on our traditional family birthday cake pedestal. When I got home last night, there it was sitting in its place of honor in the middle of the kitchen counter.
Add to that amazing delight the fact that after our family feast of take-out Chinese food (my choice), my kids actually cleaned up and did the dishes and I couldn’t help but feel thrilled that, just as I wrote the other day, all these years of self-care and making a fuss over my own birthday as a single parent seem to have finally paid off. There is hope—they do get older, they do start to notice that they are part of a world and that world isn’t necessarily revolving around them. We can let our kids see that we are taking care of ourselves as well as them and they will learn how to do both too.
Also: Self-Care Can be in the Details