One Mother’s Hopes and Dreams, Leading by Example
Marci Baun

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As a mother, I have a lot of dreams for my five-year-old daughter. In a few weeks, she starts kindergarten. And while she’s gone to preschool, kindergarten is the beginning of “real” school. Truthfully, I am a bit scared. LOL Oh, she is bright, sweet, and attentive. She’ll do well academically, but she’s also a lot like her mommy: opinionated, stubborn, and strong-willed—not all bad things, necessarily, as I’d rather she’d be a leader than a follower—and I hope that doesn’t get her into trouble. (Voice of experience here. LOL)

My dreams are full of hope. I hope I’ve provided a strong enough foundation that she has the courage, and belief in herself, to try and fail and try and fail and try until she succeeds at whatever she sets her mind to. I hope she escapes society’s pressure to be perfect, or its idea of perfect. (And doesn’t pick up my tendencies of perfectionism.) I hope she continues to love herself and her body. I hope I give her enough tools to navigate the unpredictable road of life and to find joy in the process no matter what comes her way. I hope she loves herself enough to know she deserves the very best treatment, treats others with the same respect she expects to be treated with, and realizes that staying true to oneself sometimes means saying “no”. I hope she avoids the pitfalls I’ve made, and, if she doesn’t, that I have the wisdom, patience, and love to help guide her through the rough patches.

I believe I’ve shown her all of these things through example, but will it be enough? Will she see she can have her dreams too by watching me?

Yes, I have big dreams for my little girl, and I fear I’m not up to the challenge at times. So, I will continue to encourage her, lead by example (note to self: be a little less judgmental of self ;) ), and hope that she attains her dreams.

If this mommy has her way, kindergarten will prove to be the beginning of a wonderful future.

Marci

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Marci Baun’s Bio: The publisher of both Wild Child Publishing and Freya’s Bower, Ms. Baun has been in love with the written word beginning with Clifford the Big Red Dog and Curious George. Her reading and interests have expanded since those first books to include history, music, opera, theater, swimming, cycling, nature, travel, and writing. She has written and performed one person shows about historical women in schools, universities and festivals across the state of California and sang with the Coasters and the Drifters, Freddie Hart, as well as on the operatic stage. A few years past, as a member of the Academy for New Musical Theatre, she composed music for a twelve minute musical. When time permits, she hopes to return to the theater. In her other life, she is a stay-at-home mom.

She is also the co-chair of New Voices (http://www.newvoicesyoungwriters.com/), a young writer’s competition open to young authors ages 11-18 years or 6-12 grades (public, private or home schooled).