My mother, Valerie, was widowed at age 32. She was left alone to raise me (3), my brother (8), and my sister (11). This was in 1972 when things were very different for women and mothers.
After my father died, my mother had to quickly learn to do things she’d never done before. Things like writing a check, balancing her bank account and finding places she’d never driven to before.
My mother has always been a strong, intelligent, independent lady, so learning new things didn’t take her long. But she took one big life lesson with her: the more you can do for yourself, the better.
My mom remarried when I was 5 and I gained a new dad & a new sister. My mother always taught me and my sisters to be self-sufficient, to learn how to do as many things as possible.
I try to do that and, over the years, I’ve learned (or taught myself) how to do my taxes, paint a room, write a press release, & install window treatments. As a mother of 2 young daughters, I encourage them to do the same. Together, we’ve learned to make ribbon barrettes & tighten a loose American Girl doll head.
Some time ago, I was thinking about The Wizard of Oz, remembering Dorothy & Co singing, “We’re off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz…” and it struck me that their song was the direct opposite of what my mother had taught me. From then on, I decided to never go see the Wizard again. I decided to BE the Wizard in my own life and to teach my daughters (and my son) to do the same.
And now, I’m going to teach you how to BE the Wizard in your lives as well by sharing the best people, books and websites that will show you how to to do just that.
Keep reading…
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I love this post. My sweetheart has been traveling a lot for work this past year, and I’ve had to learn so much, and it’s been good for me. Basic car care, plumbing, neighbor negotiation, all sorts of things.
Oz never gave nothing to the Tin Man, that he didn’t, didn’t already have.
Yep, you’re absolutely right! So glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for reading AND commenting.
Heather – this is a great site.
I’m not a mom (yet!), but am an entrepreneur! Very excited to keep up to date with your blog. It’s amazing what sharing knowledge can do.
Thanks so much for your great comments! Event Girl–I look forward to having you aboard!!
Great lesson for us all!
My grandmother was in the same boat as your mother when her husband abandoned her in the late 1940s. My mother could probably complain about a lot of things her mother did, but supporting she and her younger sister as a single mother at that time is not one of them.
Because of that lesson, I have always been a do-it-yourselfer.
What a great analogy, so very true. Often we underestimate our ability on what we can actually learn ! Looking forward to the future posts !
Inspiring post!