I took the kids on a spa trip. Sure enough they complained here and there. Or maybe they expressed their discomfort, confusion, tiredness. We still work on better expressing our emotions without burdening others. Unnecessarily. 

On our way back, as we ordered some food from a restaurant we like to stop by every time we go on long road trips. After we placed the order, and Jackie takes after me coming across all knowing and confident about the ways of social life, ivy looks at me with a broad smile, admiringly. Then she says: “I want to be just like you when I grow up.” I’m not sure which part made such an impact on her, but I just kind of lead the pack this week, parents and kids, driving them, helping make efficient decisions. Chatting, guiding, comforting. I am definitely more comfortable in my shoes as a mom than I was 4-5 years ago when I went to Felix with just Jackie and my parents. Then I remember feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted and didn’t enjoy the responsibility of other adults as well as kids.