Violeta Altmann

Category: Parenting

  • Reset button

    Reset button

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    by

    Violeta
    in ,

    It was a cold Saturday. The air smelled like snow, through it is already April. At 1 PM we were scheduled to get our first dose of the vaccine. And at the same exact time we got a notification from Ikea that they are delivering some stuff, straight from Bucuresti. As luck would have it,…

  • Should I have known this?

    Should I have known this?

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    by

    Violeta
    in

    It takes skill and grace to walk along side kids and teach them about the world, without tripping or falling behind or walking too fast. Instigating self doubt. I personally have carried a heavy burden as a kid. I beat myself up with this self reflection: “I should have known this.” I found healing only…

  • Grandkids

    Grandkids

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    by

    Violeta
    in , ,

    My nephew wanted to spend Friday night at bunici: his paternal grandparents, my parents, who live downstairs in the same building block as us. He is 3 and he is funny and self-confident and stubborn. He loves his little cousin Ivy, because she is near his age. He is loyal and self-aware and talks a…

  • Un an de acomodare

    Un an de acomodare

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    by

    Violeta
    in , , ,

    Gandindu-ma inapoi la primul an cu Jackie, imi aminteam ca prin vis ca a fost foarte greu. Foarte frumos dar epuizant. Aveam insa energie stocata amandoi. Bucuria noului statut de parinti, care vedeau lumea prin ochii unui copil, compensa orice greu.  Imi amintesc ca eram mereu in alerta si nu ma puteam relaxa, nici cand…

  • Când e bună frica?

    Când e bună frica?

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    by

    Violeta
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    Ferice de omul pe care-l ceartă Dumnezeu, si frica de Domnul este începutul înțelepciunii. Vorbeam aseara despre nu stiu ce, dar am spus ca ma bucur ca tati e om cu frică de Dumnezeu. Jackie uluita de aceasta idee: “Cum adica sa ne fie frica de Dumnezeu.”  Si uite asa intram in chestiuni de finete…

  • Stop

    Stop

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    by

    Violeta
    in

    It’s Saturday. We went up to our house in progress to enjoy the Spring sun, on the back porch. As I was chatting with Camilla, I hear Jackie come into the house crying. Conrad meets her at the door that stood wide open this whole time. She is shaken and it’s the first time I…

  • Reflective winter psalm poem

    Reflective winter psalm poem

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    by

    Violeta
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    Psalm 93-94 The howling anger was quietedAt the foot of the cross The circumstances in essence unchangedThere was peace in the eye of the storm As emotions and annoyances stirI keep them in checkI push them down with easeI stuff them deeperAnd peace is kept. A month, two months go byAnd I feel less and…

  • Modelare vs cizelare

    Modelare vs cizelare

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    by

    Violeta
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    Cât suntem tineri, maleabili, flexibili, ne modelam. Odată ce ne-am întărit obiceiurile, mintea, inima, daca vrem schimbare, trebuie sa cizelam. Desigur e mai zgomotos si mai dureros sa cioplim la caracterul nostru, dar si in procesul de cizelare, putem fi un material bun sau unul încăpățânat, si aspru si sfărâmicios, sensibil.  Avem o fereastra de…

  • TBRI and attachment style introspection

    TBRI and attachment style introspection

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    by

    Violeta
    in ,

    Apparently my personality style thrives on efficiency. It’s true. When a friend made the observation about my Myers Briggs I had an aha moment.  When we decided to adopt, I thought I would efficiently bounce between experiences and double down on sharing or applying my knowledge. Much like walking, one foot in front of another,…

  • Timing

    Timing

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    by

    Violeta
    in ,

    We noticed that when we correct one of the girls, the other one makes a point to let us know she loves us. This timing gave me foot for thought. I can easily read through the lines so I want to address it and redress it. The girls sense the tension and they want to…

  • Smartypants

    Smartypants

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    by

    Violeta
    in ,

    These stylish kind of pants start to fit just right at around 7 years of age. Or so it seems. I frankly don’t like the look of them. I would prefer a dash of humility, self-awareness, attentiveness, emptying the cup of self to make room for valuable experiences and wisdom. I took note of personalities…

  • Love versus law

    Love versus law

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    by

    Violeta
    in , , , ,

    My intuition tells me to slow down my legalism in integrity. I’m hunted by the verse that says that God wins us over through love, not through punishment. I had a good day with my jackie. My big girl. Thoughtful, curious, kind. It pangs me when she asks if I still love her when she…