Boundaries and Momma Bear

I have been back in Phoenix for 2 weeks and 1 day.  It seems like it has been much longer than that.  Maybe because I’ve been gone from home longer… I don’t know.  I have found that I can survive away from my hubby this long but I don’t much like it. 

My hubby and I have a good marriage.  We like to spend time together and we enjoy doing things with each other.  In fact, we met at work and continued to work at the same place for most of our marriage.  We carpooled, spent breaks together and then spent our evening together.  Until recently we had never spent much time apart – just a few days here and there.  When my hubby had to work in N.C. that was the first time we’d spent a week apart – and then we did again, and again, and again.  And I hated it.  I must have a very short term memory because why on earth did I think I could handle 2 months away?!

I have enjoyed spending time with my parents, my sister and my nieces (whenever they stay home long enough to track them down ;) .  My brother is due in next week from China and it will be good to see him too.  He will only be in town for a week before he has to go back.  I haven’t spent much time with friends.  For some it was just a quick hello at church and I was able to spend some time with some of my old small groupers. 

One of the things that I’ve come to realize is that I have learned to set boundaries with my parents.  Actually, I knew that, I just wasn’t sure what that would look like while I was here in their home.  But it’s been good – between me and them.  What I didn’t expect was my reaction when watching my parents and my kids…  Their parenting style is different than mine.  I have sat back and watched them with my kids – even when I don’t agree with how they are handling the situation or how they’re treating my kids.  I didn’t really realize I was doing that until this afternoon.  Now that I’m aware of it… things are going to have to change.