I am procrastinating writing two huge papers that I need to be working on for school. DH even took the boys away all morning for me to work. I've read a little, but UGH---it's so hard to sit and read and write all day when it's so pretty out!

Anyway, a quick post, then back to work for me. I've just applied for 2 big scholarships in the past few weeks. For one I submitted this week I had to enclose a curriculum vitae. Because I had a resume for employment and not a CV since I am just entering the world of science and academia, I emailed my CV to my dad for feedback. He's a clinical researcher in pharmacology so he has a CV and knows what they should look like. He gave me a few tips, remembered some college activities and awards that I had forgotten about for me to add, but the best thing was...he said, "I am very proud of you." I have always *known* that my dad was proud, but I come from a family that doesn't verbalize such things (can't tell you when the last time was that my family told me "I love you"--not since childhood), so the fact that he wrote it down meant so much. Even at the age of 37, it makes me feel so good that my daddy is proud .

Just a reminder...tell your kids VERBALLY that you love them, that they are special, and that you are proud of them. It DOES make a difference.

P.S. In my family with DH, our kids get told "I love you" all the time. DH's family is very affectionate and verbal about mushy stuff. Quite the polar opposite from mine. His parents tell me they love me more often than mine do.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 03:29 pm:

Pam, I am proud of you too... And I think it is wonderful that he told you that. My family is the same way so I know how much it means to actually hear it... Good luck with your papers...

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 04:55 pm:

Pam, good luck on the scholarships. And, I will say, even if your family isn't verbal about affection, that you felt comfortable asking your dad for help says very good things about your relationship. It is so hard for children past the age of about 13 to ask parents for help, and even more so for grown children (though harder, I think, for sons). I am always just as pleased as I could possibly be when one of my sons asks me for advice or help on something because I think it says very positive things about our relationship.

And yes, even if you know you are loved, it is so very nice to actually hear the words. I agree with your excellent advice, tell your kids, often and loud. (Just be sure when you say I am proud of you that it is for something the kid feels proud about also - they know when you are being phony or making too much of something they think is a nothing kind of thing.)

By Jelygu on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 05:01 pm:

Good luck on the scholarships! I'm glad that you are able to be locing towards your children in spite of growing up in a household like you did. It is nice to hear it, even if you know it ;)

By Jelygu on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 05:01 pm:

Good luck on the scholarships! I'm glad that you are able to be loving towards your children in spite of growing up in a household like you did. It is nice to hear it, even if you know it ;)

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 06:13 pm:

Good luck to you, Pam!!!! And you are right, EVERYone needs to be told those things periodically!