Thriving families remain the hope of America. And when one does well, it’s a very good thing to put it out there as a paradigm of choice. Many are looking for better ways.
Take married parents who are sober in regards to the task at hand, who focus on making family work. Their sacrifices rule the process; distractions are vigilantly avoided. Throw in spontaneous wisdom and basic values. Mix into a family.
Robyn Siroky of Gilbert is a role model not just because she’s married to the father of her children; not just because she’s still in love with that man and crazy about motherhood and the three children that made her that way, or because as a stay-at-home mom (having departed the corporate world) she keeps thinking she should be doing more.
Robyn’s to be emulated because she’s found outlets for the voices inside her which say “fly,” your talents need growing. Not only is the ASU grad in English a freelance writer for a major paper, but she’s created a blog to reach any and all who can relate and even share their worlds in return. Her vision is to grow her writing career as she makes sure her family thrives.
I like this lady. She knows what matters and is willing to surrender to the process, willing to put her own ego aside in order to bring her family across the goal line, all-the-while enriching herself.
Find her blog via Facebook: www.facebook.com/RockingTheRedZone. Then, “like” her page to access her blog “Rocking the Red Zone.” There, you’ll go with Robyn onto the football field, to the 20 yard line (“the red zone”) to get her game plan. In her own words: “When the ball is in the red zone and you’re on defense? You’re sweating. You’re finding your A-game. Because you blink? And they score.
“And if you’re on offense? It’s your opportunity. Put in the superstar receiver and the powerful running back, call your plays meticulously, and use your timeouts wisely – and the payoff could be great.”
Robyn says, “I’m thinking life is the football field, and we spend an awful lot of time in that red zone. And it’s a stressful place to be. So if you’re there? Even if your Darnell Dockett or Larry Fitzgerald is out with an injury, and all hope seems lost? You need to rock it.”
Why highlight Robyn during the holidays? Well, it’s my experience that if you can manage teens and keep them happy during Christmas, super parent is a title to claim.
As “head mistress of holiday cheer,” it’s time to decorate the tree and Robyn’s teen sons have vanished into Star Wars: Episode 4, offering only grunts to mom’s invitation to join in. With prods from dad, who’s on board with the red zone strategy, the boys respond.
“That’s when the magic took over,” Robyn describes on her blog. “The same magic that happens every year: ‘This is from when I was first born!’ ‘Mom, wasn’t this the one that was on your tree when you were a little girl?’ ‘Remember when we used to fight over who got to hang this one?’ ‘Look! This is the ornament that…’
“All three kids stumble over each other getting to the box for another ornament, another story, another warm, fuzzy memory,” Robyn says. “Eyes twinkle every bit as brightly as the lights on the tree.” TOUCHDOWN!
Take note: Patience in the red zone is one of Robyn’s game tactics. And, something else: You’ll love how she uses humor in the “red zone.”
I guess what I enjoy the most in her holiday sharing is Robyn and Larry call Christmas just exactly what it is: “Christmas.” And, they use holidays for family building. I suspect you’ll want to join Robin in the “red zone.” She’s got me there!
downtownresident posted at 7:28 pm on Fri, Dec 14, 2012.
I consider the source, smile and shake my head.[sad]
VofReason posted at 12:35 pm on Tue, Dec 11, 2012.
I find it strange that that would make people want to puke. So what Bingo and JMJ is saying is that if the story was about them and their family and the way they raised well adjusted children, that would also be staring down her nose at the rest of us? Would make JMJ want to puke? Sommetimes you have to look in the mirror if you get such a disproportionate reaction to something so subtle. May speak to a flaw
VofReason posted at 10:12 am on Tue, Dec 11, 2012.
So what JMJ is saying that we should celebrate single motherhood and hold it as the path to aspire to. I don't doubt that single mothers love their children very much and try to do the best for them. I also would suggest that many of them would rather not be having to go it alone. Additionally, we can all look to national statistics that children are better nutured in two parent households. So I think her point is that two parent households with a stay home mom (a luxury to be sure) is more of an ideal environment to raise children. Democrate, Republican or other. You can understand that- right?
Bingo6 posted at 5:21 pm on Mon, Dec 10, 2012.
Well, once arson Ann Coulter's big sister "Suzy Creamcheese " and her little "Leave. It To Beaver" fantasy world is again looking down her prissy little nose at the rest us "little people" by lecturing us on how to be just like her.
I'd be willing to bet that if I told her that I have been a happily married guy to the same wonderful wife for over 30 years, with a wonderful son who married with two kids after he got married and is a successful business man and lo and behold we are all proud liberal democrats, why it would probably give her nightmares to imagine such a reality.
Sorry Linda you and your GOP Pals don't. come close to knowing the meaning of happiness and fulfillment or reality:-).
JMJ posted at 3:01 pm on Mon, Dec 10, 2012.
The day Glinda the Good Witch writes about someone who is not exactly like she seems to be [a caricature in a fantasy movie], an dactually gives anyone outside of her "reality" any credit, at all, for being a decent human being is the day I will eat my hat.
Robyn can be exactly as she is--raise her family the way she chooses--I already said that. It's the spotlight that Glinda has shone on her that is offensive, because Linda has qualified her position with the judgment that Robyn "knows what matters", as if no one else in other situations knows what is important.
It is her constant litany of pushing her own views and values within a public forum, foisting her skewed views of what "matters". It is condescending and typical of her column.
Opposition to her outlook doesn't have to meet with anyone else's approval. The whole column is so very far right Arizona. Luckily, people in Arizona are starting to wake up and counter the very narrow view which is leveled against others on a routine basis.
VofReason posted at 1:55 pm on Mon, Dec 10, 2012.
Oh and logic or the indication of it's use is often condemned unless it reconciles with the above
VofReason posted at 1:54 pm on Mon, Dec 10, 2012.
I am not sure who this masked man is, but RubidouxFalcon is my new hero of the day. Well said. Something I will point out is that this site is littered with people who see the world through the exact same lense as our friend JMJ. If you agree with some dated version of "normal" you are graded to be intolerant and will be called a series of nasty names or shouted down. However, if you find beauty in every political point President Obama takes, are for medical marijuana, are gay and or for gay marriage to be held on a higher plain then marriage, and agree more with Occupy Wallstreet and only see the Tea Party as a racist lot, you will have overwhelming backing here.
RubidouxFalcon posted at 7:52 am on Mon, Dec 10, 2012.
JMJ,
You treat praise and adoration as a disposable good-as if by praising Robyn there is a risk that no praise will be left for you or your hypothetical single parent.
I was raised by the hypothetical parent you described. But somehow, I have no problem seeing the value in good moms who are also married.
The problem with folks like you is that because there is evidence of people not achieving the ideal, you claim the ideal is no more and that to celebrate the ideal is to disparage the less than ideal. Simply not true.
It's as if you like to celebrate those who are working so hard to get out of bad situations and survive those situations, but disparage those who actually get out or never had to be in the bad situation.
Very strange logic.
JMJ posted at 12:04 pm on Sun, Dec 9, 2012.
SPAM filter is going wacko, again. Not a word changed, and I have to post four or five times to get a message out. LOL.
JMJ posted at 12:03 pm on Sun, Dec 9, 2012.
When I read your columns, I put your face to Glinda, the Good Witch, in her descent to the stage with her glittering magic wand and her singsong voice.
Do they still make barf bags for airlines? I think I need one.
When I want a reality check, I read your column. Your reality makes me laugh. Every single time. My reality as a married parent has never been yours. I'm proud of that! My reality has achieved marketable, successful offspring in a global economy where they make a difference every single day. All while working outside of the home, as well as inside of the home.
What's exactly is your point? I can never figure it out--in any reality-based way. It's like being able to read fingernails scratching a chalkboard. I cringe.
JMJ posted at 12:02 pm on Sun, Dec 9, 2012.
However, they are capable people who don't have time to wonder if they can start a blog while staying home to manage the laundry. They may not even be able to afford a Christmas tree, go figure.
But, they are the backbone of their family--no necessarily "family" as defined by you as married parents. Maybe they're even same sex parents. Maybe they're grandparents raising their grandchildren.
JMJ posted at 12:02 pm on Sun, Dec 9, 2012.
No offense to Robyn, that's your world, rock it however you want to rock it.
I am sure, Linda, that single parents who are in the red zone 24/7 juggling how to pay their bills and keep their children clothed and fed can so relate to your world view, again. NOT.