I Think I Can

Posted on | February 21, 2010 | 6 Comments |

Have you ever read the book: The Little Engine That Could? I LOVE that book! It’s a great children’s classic with a wonderful message. If you’ve never read this book to your little one(s), you should! If your kids are into trains, there is a very nice train set that you can get and the toy is made in America! Just Google! I use the little blue train as an example all the time when M said: “I can’t.” Granted there are things that she still won’t do due to fear most of the time she would because I’d reference the little blue train. Of course, the all philosophical mother here, I’d go and give her more — just something to think about ya know — word of wisdom about life, my experience in the topic we were conversing about, and relating everything to M, trying, and believing in herself. I don’t expect her to remember but who knows, one day it might resurface when the time is right. M is not the most confident kid. Sometimes I know she could do it but she just didn’t believe in herself or shyness took over. In a way she’s kind of like me when I was a kid. I got over a lot on my own but it was tough and I don’t want her to be like me in that matter – trying to figure things out alone.

Now, don’t think I had bad parents. It wasn’t like that at all. It’s just that I grew up in a country where it was normal to have other people care for your children aka maids/nannies. My family was kind of in between. They’re not totally awkward with their kids but we’re not the hugg-duggy-lets-sit-down-and-talk-about-this kind of family either. Also, my opinions/thoughts didn’t matter. I think this is probably more of an Asian/Chinese thing. You just have to obey what the elders say no matter what you thought of it.

Hubby said that you either turn out like your parents or totally the opposite of them. For him and I, we still have a smidge of our parents but for the most part we’ve gone the opposite directions. We’re very open with M and we talk about everything. We value her thoughts and feelings too. Yes she’s little and have limitations in terms of logical thinking but we always want to hear her out and know what’s in her little head. I know I never tell my parents anything until it’s the final verdict. Drew is somewhat the same although he is more open than I am with his. Even when M’s punished we’d make sure that she understood why she was punished and we’d have a chat with her on her little (bad) behavior. We hope that by doing this when she (and Jovie) grows up she’ll never be afraid to come to us to talk about anything. Life is a journey and we want to always be there for them if they need us.

Why all the above? Because I used the title for this layout:

For the layout I used Bazzill cs, Hambly screen print, Prima butterfly, Making Memories pattern paper and alpha, Crate Paper chipboard, American Craft alpha, K& Company rub-ons, Gardenologie paper by Quirky Twerp at TDC, and the black and white digital stamp by Libby Weifenbach at Sweet Shoppe Designs (there’s another circle brush that she made here).

So when you think you can’t, just think of the little blue train and tell yourself: I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can {::SMILE} Trust me, the little mantra got me to do a lot of things I thought I couldn’t or just seemed so daunting. Have a fabulous day and week!!!

Category: Scrapbook

Comments

Kelly Marie posted the following on February 21, 2010 at 4:26 pm.
Beautiful layout and beautiful words! It sounds like you are an amazing mom!
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Sarah Martina posted the following on February 21, 2010 at 10:26 pm.
You ARE an amazing mom! Thanks for sharing this… beautiful layout and what a perfect snapshot!
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Quirky posted the following on February 21, 2010 at 11:08 pm.
Cool little book… I’m sure I would want my kids to think they can and be someone who’s not afraid to try :)

Cool LO :) It’s been a while since I scrapbooked :P I’m lazy… HAHA
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Elise posted the following on February 22, 2010 at 2:18 am.
You, U, YOU ~ are a darling person and a WONDERFUL mom! I kind of just want to give you a big hug!!!! This was a wonderful post! What a beautiful share to introduce a BEAUTIFULLY scrapped moment – YOU’RE AWESOME, Savitri!
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Giovana posted the following on February 22, 2010 at 8:56 pm.
Beautiful layout!! I wish I could scrapbook. I have read that book to my daughter, it was one of the many books we read for our school program.

Hugs.
Giovana
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