The second I met Hayley, everything all came together. She is vivacious and lively, and she is also sweet and thoughtful. That bright red hair and that toothless grin just melted my heart right away! We have so much fun together just goofing off and playing around. We've played at parks, we've gone to visit animal shelters, we've gone shopping, we've listened to every Justin Beiber and Selena Gomez song you can imagine, we get lunch, we do it all. She is very aware of her planet and all the other creatures - human and otherwise- that we share it with.
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| Ashlee and Hayley visiting the Easter Bunny |
Being paired with Hayley wasn't just good for having fun, it has also brought so many wonderful things into my life. She has taught me how important family is. She has taught me how the smallest things can sometimes make the biggest difference. She has made me aware of myself, and made me more conscientious of the impact that I can make, and the example that I set for her.
She calls me everyday just to tell me how her day went. I struggle sometimes to make sure that I don't cross any lines. I don't always know where or when that magic line happens to fall and where I should leave my personal values at the door and give completely unbiased advice that I know will be good for Hayley and her life and her growth as a person. I also have to be assertive but not bossy, fun but not careless, creative but not too complex, original but not frivolous. I have to teach her that there are consequences to all that we do, but not be too preachy. I have to give advice without telling her what to do. I want to be a good role-model and friend, but I don't want her to think that I think that I am trying to over-rule her mom and that what I say takes precedence over what mom says. I don't always know what or how her mom has explained things and I don't want to contradict anything that has already been ingrained into her growing and curious mind. The pressure! Arrrgh! This wasn't explained in any video or meeting!!
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| Hayley - our picnic playdate at Liberty Park |
All in all, the fun that we have and all the excitement I get looking forward to our weekly visits make it all worth it. If anyone has any ideas for craft projects, field trips, or anything otherwise that we can do, please feel free to post! Hayley is very active and I sometimes struggle to find new things for us to do that keep her attention and interest. Moms, you should have plenty to share! :)
I highly recommend that you check out the website to your local BBBS chapter to see what you can do to support, raise money, or even volunteer to help keep this wonderful program going.
I highly recommend that you check out the website to your local BBBS chapter to see what you can do to support, raise money, or even volunteer to help keep this wonderful program going.
3 comments:
I admire you so much!! I love how you described how you strive to interact with her. That is how I want to interact with Jayah. As a mother I know its my job to look after Jayah's basic needs but how I interact with her is going to help shape who she becomes as a person. Everyday I struggle with how and what I should do to help her grow. I often fall short.
"..to be assertive but not bossy, fun but not careless, creative but not too complex, original but not frivolous. I have to teach her that there are consequences to all that we do, but not be too preachy."
That is how I want to mother her. Thank you for giving me a map to follow!!!
That is so cool that you're a big sister! What a great program! Hayley is super lucky that she got you! I'm sure you're as much a blessing in her life as she is in yours. :-)
Salt Lake is a really awesome place because there are so many fun and kid friendly things to do. The aquarium, a Bees game, This Is The Place Park, the zoo, the planetarium (you only have to pay for the IMAX movies), hikes (like Ensign Peak or anywhere up Big Cottonwood Canyon), the Utah Museum of Natural History at the U, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts also at the U, all kinds of cool things! Let me know if you want more ideas! :-)
Wow Ashley you are such an inspiration to me!! I remember when Adam's foster brother was in the program, he said that he really enjoyed it. I wonder if Hayley has ever been to build a bear? Then again she might be a little too old for that. You could always take her to a science museum. My kids love to do paper plate crafts & popsicle stick craft. If you google fun crafts with kids I am sure you would find a ton of things you could do to reuse and recycle everyday items that you use. Our latest Craft was "Jewels and Rubys" just bake rocks in the oven and then you melt all sorts of crayon colors onto it!! Sorry this comment is so long, I will stop now. He He :) Love you
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