Could we be more Supportive of our Friends?

Written by Angela Stewart
Our Green & Gorgeous Domestic Goddess

Since starting to write for the Gorgeous Things Blog I seem to be viewing most events and day to day occurrences from the perspective of including them in my posts.  I feel that coming form this point of view has, as well as encouraging me to be fully engaged so I remember all the details, has prompted me to question or review my actions and actively seek the lessons that are always there for us to learn.

Recently I attended a get together with some friends to hear a local child behaviour expert speak. I had heard this lady speak previously and was keen to hear what other pearls of wisdom she had to share.  Whilst I had no burning behaviour issues that needed addressing personally, I was fascinated to hear what the other parents were dealing with.  The evening was informative, with more than a few laughs had at the experiences we all have.  Maybe it was doubly amusing because we were all parents of twins – I think as a parent group that we use humour a lot to help us through the challenges.

The interesting take that I also took away from the evening was questioning how much, as friends, are we available to support each other in bringing up our children.  As a couple of the women present were very close friends of mine I was very challenged that maybe I had not been as available as I might have been.  Sitting and listening to the depth of challenges they were experiencing in their respective I was surprised that I didn’t know that things had gotten to such extremes.

As I thought further I wondered if it was not so much about being an available friend, as it was about life – especially the lives of parents of multiple-birth children, was incredibly busy.  This strengthened my resolve to arrange those long talked about ‘mothers only’ catch ups and also the afternoon teas that extend to include dinner.

Questioning further I considered the whole scene from the perspective that we were all ‘superwomen’, as we juggled raising our families, running successful businesses or holding down challenging jobs, and keeping our homes clean, tidy and liveable.  How much of the ‘superwoman’ myth, might we have been perpetuating by battling along with out complaining or even discussing our very challenging issues with each other?

I am certain that there is an element of all these perspectives that make up the whole picture, and I am grateful for the experience.  My resolve to appreciate my kids and my husband daily, live in the moment AND catch up with my girlfriends more often has been strengthened.  Now I must be off to arrange this week’s catch-up time.