I grew up in a household where I was very much a child. Just before I got married I was given a crash course in cooking. Every time I cooked, Roger ( lets give him his dues) told me I cooked better than his mum. I lived for the look on his face with each meal I prepared. He never disappointed. He always complimented the cook. That was one of the nice things about him.
However, for everything else, he thought I was incapable and a half wit. I wasn't allowed to help with the taxes, or budgeting, anything "adult" was organised by Roger and I became one of the children. It happened imperceptibly as that was pretty much how I grew up. Mom ran our house, dad and I were the kids.
Eventually Roger began to resent the fact that he was carrying the administrative duties of the house and began to cast his eyes about for woman who were capable, organised and together.
After 17 years of marriage, I was convinced I couldn't do anything, let alone order a pizza. I have avoided leadership positions like the plague and have tended to avoid many of the adult things in life like tax returns and so on,convinced that I really would be no good at it.
Last year, I put on the end of year concert for the Foundation Phase at school. I organised rehearsals, co-ordinated with the music department, organised costumes, backdrops, sound, lighting and so on. It was hailed as a complete and utter resounding success. Compliments flowed in, from all places.
Last week I offered to put on a family fun adventure day for the families in Foundation Phase. I procrastinated a little and it became a rather last minute affair. It was arranged around an Amazing Race theme. We had a record number of families attending and once again, it received the most amazing positive feedback. Days later people were talking about it and in our Friday Staff meeting I was given the "multi-tasking" trophy. A fun sort of pat on the back for a job well done.
For so long I have believed myself to be very incapable. I never really attempted much, believing that I couldn't. Time and time though as I have put my foot forward to try something I have proved this long held theory wrong and quite convincingly too.
My mind is now open to the possibility that I am actually quite capable. How strange. Me? Who would have thunk? Not Roger. I'm pretty surprised myself.
However, for everything else, he thought I was incapable and a half wit. I wasn't allowed to help with the taxes, or budgeting, anything "adult" was organised by Roger and I became one of the children. It happened imperceptibly as that was pretty much how I grew up. Mom ran our house, dad and I were the kids.
Eventually Roger began to resent the fact that he was carrying the administrative duties of the house and began to cast his eyes about for woman who were capable, organised and together.
After 17 years of marriage, I was convinced I couldn't do anything, let alone order a pizza. I have avoided leadership positions like the plague and have tended to avoid many of the adult things in life like tax returns and so on,convinced that I really would be no good at it.
Last year, I put on the end of year concert for the Foundation Phase at school. I organised rehearsals, co-ordinated with the music department, organised costumes, backdrops, sound, lighting and so on. It was hailed as a complete and utter resounding success. Compliments flowed in, from all places.
Last week I offered to put on a family fun adventure day for the families in Foundation Phase. I procrastinated a little and it became a rather last minute affair. It was arranged around an Amazing Race theme. We had a record number of families attending and once again, it received the most amazing positive feedback. Days later people were talking about it and in our Friday Staff meeting I was given the "multi-tasking" trophy. A fun sort of pat on the back for a job well done.
For so long I have believed myself to be very incapable. I never really attempted much, believing that I couldn't. Time and time though as I have put my foot forward to try something I have proved this long held theory wrong and quite convincingly too.
My mind is now open to the possibility that I am actually quite capable. How strange. Me? Who would have thunk? Not Roger. I'm pretty surprised myself.
Good for you! That's really excellent, to see a person excel despite what some idiot's made them believe. It's inspiring! :)
ReplyDeleteShucks thanks Veg!
ReplyDeleteAs your School Bus driver I always knew who the capable one was and it wasn't the male half of your household. I saw first hand the difference in how smooth everything ran without him around. I always knew you could do it! I'm so glad that you now see what I have always known.
ReplyDeleteSuze -I really love you to bits! You have always always been in my corner. From the very first day I came to sit in your outdoor swing and confessed to you that my life was just a sham, that my marriage was in tatters....thankyou!
ReplyDelete