Appreciation

There are many things that are difficult about being a single parent. Trust me. Many things. But most of them, I think I've got covered or at least have come to terms with.

The one that I can't figure out though is how to teach my kids to appreciate me. I know it sounds funny, but it's really difficult to teach this when there's not one to model it for you.

If I had a partner, well, if I had a GOOD partner, my partner would say, "Oh! You look so pretty today." or "Gee, Mom is sick, we need to take care of her." or "Wow. Look what Mom has done for us/cooked for us/made for us/arranged for us..." 0r "Gosh. Mom has worked very hard to help us with x and is now tired. We should rub her feet."

As it is, it's just me shrill-ly bleating, "Look kids! Look what Mom has made for you! Isn't it great? Look dammit! Give me so appreciation here, People..."

It's not just that I would like to have my feet rubbed every once in a while (actually, they do rub my feet occasionally, but not often enough). I would like the perks of being appreciated, for sure, but even more, I'd like them to know HOW to show appreciation for people who do things for them. I certainly model care and loving and appreciation with them and others as much as I can, but it's a different model and one that I have not been able to figure out how to demonstrate ON MYSELF.