I am feeling more like an ATM than a mom these days.  It’s time for school supplies, school clothes, a haircut, activity fees.  Seems like all I’ve been doing is schlepping here and there for my son to get what he needs to go to a place he’d rather not be at. Oy Vay.

To make matters even more expensive, we have to buy art supplies.  Art supplies are consumable and we spend hundreds of dollars a year on them.  Why do I do this?  In my mind’s eye, the paints are there, the canvas is there, the assignment is due and my child is pacing back and forth in a panic because he cannot think of a topic for his assignment.  I know I’m projecting as the school year has just begun, but if history repeats itself, I will be in this position shortly.  Worse, it usually occurs late at night after I have worked all day and really, really want to go to sleep.

While steeling myself for another year of “artistic agony,” I read with interest a recent article by Carol Sorgen in “The Beacon” (August 2009).  The article was about Debbie Phelps and how she has maintained her passion for education while supporting her son Michael’s passion for swimming.  She candidly discusses the highs and lows of supporting Michael in his quest for success.  The Beijing Olympics were definitely a high point.  In fact, I remember being as excited for her as I was for her son.  Michael’s well publicized marijuana incident was clearly a low point, but she has always maintained her loving, supportive relationship with her son.

Sorgen’s article helped me to remember why I spend that money on back to school “everything” and why I will stay up with my child when he has “painter’s block.”  I will be there for my child even if that means feeling more like an ATM than a mom at times.  My guess is that I am not alone in feeling as if all I’m doing right now is spending money when I really need to be saving as much as I can.  Love encompasses so much, and our support for our children can be emotional, physical, and yes - within limits - even financial.

By Donna Kane, MA, Jewish Community Services, Baltimore, MD

Jewish Community Services, an agency of THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, offers a wide range of supportive services and resources for you and your family.  To learn more, call 410-466-9200, or visit http://www.jcsbaltimore.org.  Questions about parenting?  Send an e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), and check out the Parenting Tip of the Month at http://www.jcsbaltimore.org.