How much is too much?

As a mom faced with raising three beautiful kids on my own, I often allow myself to carry the pain of my children. I carry their disappointments, their insecurities,their hopes unfulfilled. I watch as my daughter desperately searches for any glimpse of her daddy's love from years past. I watch as my sons try to be both teacher and student when it comes to learning the tools of life meant to be modeled by a dad. It is because of this that I often find myself trying to overcompensate for my kids,depleting my finances to see the smiles on their faces when they are given their hearts desire.As if that were not enough, I would even overlook their body's natural need for rest and allow them to determine their own bedtimes, so that they could get the most out of every day with me; the one parent that cared enough to be present.At times I still ponder how much is too much.When you give your children everything they want, they come to expect it,breeding a nature of entitlement.When you don't provide their every whim,they grow to resent your insufficiences as the sole guardian. In this present economy it is crucial that we learn to live within our means.It is our responsibility as the matriarch of our domain to prioritize the demands of our household and members therein. Though your child may experience momentary disappointment accompanied by the much dreaded waterworks display for emphasis, they will survive.And though you may not be able to see the sun through the trees,moms you will too.