So, I have two younger brothers, that are pretty much, awesome. I don't laugh harder with anyone else. I was lucky to grow up with those two. My youngest brother, Zane, has a language processing disorder. It just takes him a little longer to process what people are saying and he can't pronounce words as accurately as other people. It's never been a huge issue in our family. We communicate just fine and Zane is truly a little light in this world. He's one of the happiest people I've ever met.
Through out school, he was constantly picked on. So. Unfair. He would cry in the mornings and make up any excuse not to go to school. My immediate reaction used to be anger! Anger towards those kids making fun of my amazing, brother and anger towards Zane, like, "Why don't you stand up for yourself!!" It broke my heart, along with my parents, to see him come home time and time again defeated. My anger turned into a longing to fix the problem.
I knew Zane was not the only kid coming home feeling all alone, feeling like something was wrong with him, feeling as if he'd never have a friend. Then it dawned on me! These kids needed each other. They needed to talk about their experiences and lean on one another. Kids who have been picked on share a tolerance for people and their differences (something we should all have). I knew if I could just get these kids together, friendships would form and I believe, one friend makes all the difference in the world.
I'd like to take a minute to share my thoughts on the importance of friendship. Zane came from a loving home, I mean, we had our differences, but we all knew we were loved, seen, and accepted by one another, especially our parents. Props to my parentals! We've all known our self-worth from the get-go. Loving families cannot prevent a child feeling lonely, especially in the tween years! Those years they are longing for acceptance from their peers. Family acceptance doesn't cut it, they want to know they are seen, heard, and matter to the people their age; that they are relevant. That if they missed school some one would miss them. So if you're at that age, please be kind to every one around you and if you're older or younger and some one is reaching out to you; please hear them and see them. It will make all the difference.
With the longing to create a space for kids, who have been wrongfully judged, to meet and lean on one another, SkyeTime was born. It was an idea for years. Finally, my mom came to me and said, "Skye, the time is now. You're doing this." I wasn't really "ready," but I probably never would have been. My mom supported me financially, emotionally, and dream pursuing-ly throughout this whole process. She still does, along with my whole family.
I started SkyeTime when I was pregnant with my first child, Ashlyn. Since then I have created another human being, known as Tristan. To say my life is chaotic and uncertain would be an understatement. While I'm doing the same thing every day, big pieces of my life are constantly moving. The major two being where we're going to end up settling down and my fiance's career and where that will lead us. My two little humans own my soul and I wouldn't have it any other way.
For almost two years, I've been doing both SkyeTime and mothering and trying to be an awesome fiance and growing as a human being. SkyeTime has gone amazing! We have a community that is slowly, growing and I could not be more grateful. My kids are happy and healthy. I have literally given it my all. All I can give at this point in my life.
I began to notice, at the end of the day I would feel a little empty and it worried me. I have a beautiful family and am chasing my life long dream. Then I realized I was spreading myself thin, so even though I was doing everything I wanted, I wasn't doing it to my full potential. That irked me. I wasn't giving 100% into all aspects of my life and that is not the way to live. I wanted to do everything, which I was, but nothing was getting the true, attention it deserved. Me, my kids, or SkyeTime.
Something had to give, and the conclusion I've come to is that I must push pause on SkyeTime. My children will only be this tiny for a short number of years. I need to pour my all and everything into them and these years. I am not giving up on my dream. I am simply, pushing pause. Throwing it out to the universe and seeing what comes of it, until I can pursue this dream with reckless abandon!
Our online community will still, most definitely, be intact and our members can always reach me. I still believe in the mission and the dream of SkyeTime, but putting it on hold until I can dedicate the amount of energy and time it deserves and the members deserve, is whats right, I feel it in my bones. Thank you if you have ever believed in SkyeTime and what it stands for!
You can still head over to SkyeTime.com to check it out and go to facebook.com/SkyeTime and 'Like' us for support (just click the links in the sidebar-super easy)!
I am always open to comments, suggestions, opinions, or thoughts on avenues SkyeTime can take, so please don't hesitate to contact me via this blog, SkyeTime or personal email @ skye.a.mcneill@gmail.com.
Here are some snapshots of SkyeTime and the community we started to create:
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