Is our little lady!!!
Dear Mikaela...
You are such a great child... a wonderful daughter and I love you very much. At times I feel I really don't show you near enough how much I value you... and in fact I get it all wrong and make you feel awful. I am sorry for those times. I wish I could always behave in a manner that I could be proud of, without frustration and without childishness. Unfortunately I have my faults, but they are not yours sweet girl. You are teaching me so much to be a better person and I strive to be the best kinda Mum that you deserve.
I hope you will agree that is not to say I am an awful Mum, or a bad one... I just think I can do better :) There are so many little things that seem irrelevant, when you take a look at... turn out to be quite significant. It is a matter of taking notice of all these little things and striving to do my best as much as humanly possible.
You are a constant reminder to me of what a beautiful world we live in... you are far more patient than I am... you are empathetic and helpful... you love with all your heart and soul - fiercely and passionately and for that I am grateful.
You are spontaneous and excited about so many things in life that it is contagious...
You are fair and honest... you talk back a bit, but not without reason most times.
Nath and I have been doing a parenting course, and mostly we are enjoying it ... we are feeling "consciously unskilled at present"... in that we are aware of the mistakes we are making, we have some tools to use... but we are not yet skilled in using them as effectively as we'd like. This gives us some guilt... but we are trying to be better parents and each day is another opportunity to treat you and our family as we desire... with love, respect, acceptance and encouragement. Most days we do well. Mostly we have hope that we are able to be the best parents we can be... with conscious parenting we will.
I am so please for you with so many things you are doing and accomplishing... at times Nath says to me "I forget she is only 8 years old"... and we do, because you are very capable in many areas, basketball, swimming and running continue to be your main strengths.
Lately you've also been reading up a storm and your Auntie Katie has given you a whole lot of Enid Blyton books to read {about 15} and you are in heaven... you have set up a special little "reading corner" in your room and you will read at any spare moment you can snatch.
As my pregnancy draws to an end... you are being very helpful, picking things up and helping me about the house. Helping with Joshua.
Each morning you get off to school with Nathan now... you go into the office with him and then he walks you to the school crossing... about 3-5 mins. It is your time together and gives you a little more independence.
Nath arranged internet connection in your room on one of the old laptops and you use it for your homework.
You are growing so quickly Mikaela... too quickly for my liking at times, but it is such a joy to watch you develop into the confident and self assured girl you are becoming daily.
We love you Big GIrl.
Always.
Mum xo
