a parenting reminder for me-
The thing about kids is they are honest.
They don't know yet how to spare one's feelings with a lie, or why they would even need to.
Ask a little girl how you look in a dress, and she will tell you. Cook a dinner that doesn't turn out the way you'd hoped, and he will tell you it's not good. Have an "off" morning, and you will be told that you are being crabby. On the upside, when a child tells you that you are his best mama ever ever ever, you can feel flattered. And when a child tells you she wants to grow up to be just like you, your heart can just about burst with pride.....
So when Luke told me yesterday that I spend too much time doing stuff around the house and barely play with him anymore, it hit me. Hard. This followed multiple comments over the past couple of weeks about how Daddy is always at work or traveling and when he is not at work, he is working in the yard.
Can anyone make you feel more guilty and inadequate than a five year old? Geesh!
Today I have been focused on making sure that there is more to my day than a list of tasks to complete. I've made sure to say yes when I've been asked to do a puzzle with Gracie. I've said yes to each and every request for a book made by the boys. I sat on the floor with them for a while as they colored.
And guess what? The housework still got done. The bags still got packed for this weekend. The laundry still got put away. The house is not perfect, but clean enough.
It was a good reminder to me to slow down more to really enjoy the little moments of raising kids. Ever since our house is Zionsville was being prepped to go on the market, I've been in super-woman mode trying to fill every moment with productivity. I continuously meet the kids' needs and then get something done while they are occupied until they need me again.
I have gotten out of the habit of just being. Of sitting in the middle of the playroom floor and just playing with them without thought of all of the things I could be doing instead. I've developed the bad habit of automatically answering "maybe in just a minute" instead of "sure."
Right now as I sit here with a cup of coffee, listening to Drew snore on the baby monitor and Gracie and Luke giggle over The Wonder Pets, I am feeling so grateful for this reminder this week.
Have a wonderful weekend. We're excited to be going on a road trip into North Carolina to visit Ben's aunt Sandi and her husband, Ron.
They don't know yet how to spare one's feelings with a lie, or why they would even need to.
Ask a little girl how you look in a dress, and she will tell you. Cook a dinner that doesn't turn out the way you'd hoped, and he will tell you it's not good. Have an "off" morning, and you will be told that you are being crabby. On the upside, when a child tells you that you are his best mama ever ever ever, you can feel flattered. And when a child tells you she wants to grow up to be just like you, your heart can just about burst with pride.....
So when Luke told me yesterday that I spend too much time doing stuff around the house and barely play with him anymore, it hit me. Hard. This followed multiple comments over the past couple of weeks about how Daddy is always at work or traveling and when he is not at work, he is working in the yard.
Can anyone make you feel more guilty and inadequate than a five year old? Geesh!
Today I have been focused on making sure that there is more to my day than a list of tasks to complete. I've made sure to say yes when I've been asked to do a puzzle with Gracie. I've said yes to each and every request for a book made by the boys. I sat on the floor with them for a while as they colored.
And guess what? The housework still got done. The bags still got packed for this weekend. The laundry still got put away. The house is not perfect, but clean enough.
It was a good reminder to me to slow down more to really enjoy the little moments of raising kids. Ever since our house is Zionsville was being prepped to go on the market, I've been in super-woman mode trying to fill every moment with productivity. I continuously meet the kids' needs and then get something done while they are occupied until they need me again.
I have gotten out of the habit of just being. Of sitting in the middle of the playroom floor and just playing with them without thought of all of the things I could be doing instead. I've developed the bad habit of automatically answering "maybe in just a minute" instead of "sure."
Right now as I sit here with a cup of coffee, listening to Drew snore on the baby monitor and Gracie and Luke giggle over The Wonder Pets, I am feeling so grateful for this reminder this week.
Have a wonderful weekend. We're excited to be going on a road trip into North Carolina to visit Ben's aunt Sandi and her husband, Ron.
Comments
The most harsh judge, is a self judge. As you beat yourself up for the few missed moments you could have spent doing something else, remember that your children are also learning (by witness) that mom & dad have a very strong work ethic. They are learning that you have to work hard, so you can play hard. You and Ben are model parents. I burst with pride when I look at the lives of my children. All three are happy, confident people who spend their days trying to teach others how to be happy & confident.
I'm not saying that those concerns should not enter your thoughts. I'm saying that when they do, you might ask the judge for a little lenience.
I love you. Keep up the good work!
See you in 13 days.
See you in 13 days too....we'll switch to counting down the minutes soon if we get any more excited around here!