Today was a long day at home with the kids. Normally this would be a boring and potentially frustrating day. However, I enjoyed myself and we had a lot of fun. I came up with a list of reasons why I think the day was a success.
1. Don't plan anything
I usually expect to get a lot done, then end up annoyed b/c I have only gotten one or two things done that I wanted to do. I realized today that if I just plan to sit around and do nothing, the few things I do accomplish make me very happy. Today that included getting my flights booked for America (Yay!), updating photos in some frames, reading scriptures, uploading photos to Snapfish, making dinner, and making my bed (doesn't always happen).
2. Invite a friend over
We hardly ever have my niece Courtney over, even though Katherine lives just 30 minutes away and her kids go to school near us. Yesterday when I knew that she needed a baby sitter so I told her we'd be happy to have Courtney over. I don't know why we don't do it more often. Olivia and Courtney had a great time. They danced, read books, played PlayDoh, watched The Fairies, played "store", had a picnic in the living room, etc. It was great to have someone here to entertain Olivia. It's hard work!
3. Let the kids make a mess
It's funny how you read those silly ideas of "things to do with kids" and scowl at the ideas like playing with rice or coloring salt with chalk... but you know what? It works. My kids asked to play with the flour left on the counter after I rolled cinnamon rolls and I acquiesced. I wasn't excited about it but after about 30 minutes of peace I realized that I might be onto something. By the way I did pull out the rice, scoops, and bowls about a month ago and it also worked like a charm. Who knew? And really as far as messes go, flour is nothing. I might just use this one as a "reward" for doing chores or something. ha ha
4. Quality Time
It was nice that I didn't have to run out anywhere today and we had an easy schedule. All I had to do all day was pick up Austin from school at 2:30. That meant I was able to read with Olivia this morning and play an ABC memory game before Courtney arrived, I played toys with Ashley (here she is practicing sitting up), and in the afternoon when Courtney was gone and Olivia & Ashley napped, Austin and I had apples on the floor (which qualifies as a "picnic" in his book) while we talked about school, drew a picture for Nana and Papa, and read some books. It's great to feel like I did well as a mother for today. (and I stress "today" because everyday is not so good but I am working on it).
5. Good food
Olivia was happy all day because I let her drink out of the Bratz water bottle we got for her yesterday when we saw Curious George and I let her and Courtney have chocolate after lunch. Austin loved the picnic of apples and candy popcorn. They were both content with the cinnamon rolls we had for dessert tonight, but what they don't know is the Indian Butter Chicken we had for dinner contained TOFU! Oh, I know, I am such a mean mom. Austin gobbled it right up but Olivia took some coaxing. Once I challenged them to a big bite competition they ate it all up. It's amazing what you can get a kid to eat when you dare them to take a "Crocodile" or "Dinosaur" bite. Man, what will I do when Austin realizes that I am tricking him into eating his dinner? And in case you're wondering, No, I didn't tell them it was tofu. All I said was "It's just like marshmallows." What? It does look like marshmallows! Ok, I probably won't do that again anytime soon. I just thought I would give it a try. If Jared was home he would probably kill me for doing that. Ok, so tofu doesn't fall into the "good food" of the day.
6. Distraction, it still works
I can't believe how well the distraction method works on Olivia. I forget sometimes and lose my temper with her but when I keep my head on and use the distraction technique, she is putty in my hands. Today I got her to count how long it took me to go to the store (while Mum was here) so that she didn't whine about not going with me. I also got her to look at the color of the girl's dress on Australian Idol when she complained I wouldn't let her have more milk just before bed. It sounds silly but when she wants to put up a stink about something she can be really annoying. It makes me crazy.
So these are the reasons why my long day at home was good. I am really, really trying to enjoy being a mother and remember to have FUN with my kids. I know that if I am grumpy and boring they will turn into grumpy, boring kids. I don't want to do that to them. Sometimes it's hard to feel that life is fun when it is filled with the activities of a 5 yr old, 3 yr old and 6 month old, but I know it's just a shift in my way of thinking. I can enjoy them and I should because they are gorgeous, adorable, sweet, loving, healthy, cute children. I am lucky to have them.
5 comments:
Way to go, you super mom you. I love it when I have a successful kid-friendly day like that. It's hard to imagine doing that all the time, but I guess that's the ideal. I think it's when we're in a hurry all the time and trying to make them fit into our mental schedule that we get frustrated. Savor the success of this day.
I don't know why we moms expect ourselves to get so many things done in a day!!! and then get grouchy and frusterated when we can't. You'd think we'd learn, but we don't. I too am learning to relax and lower my expectations (in a good way). Tonight, I went outside with the kids and painted on the driveway with our new sidewalk paints. I really should have been cleaning the kitchen and the kids would have been fine without me there, but it was fun and relaxing to be out there because I wanted to be, not because they were whining for me to be.
Wow, you are a supermom. I'm so glad you are learning to relax and not expect to get so much done. It will still be there tomorrow. Courtney and Olivia looks a bit alike sitting there on the sofa, don't they?
these are great ideas. well done at finding that perfect day where all goes well. so happy for you.
i do agree with jill...it seems like the times when we have an agenda that everything falls apart. too bad as a mother you actually have to get stuff done and run a household. imagine if you didn't?
I have to say, I was tickled to see the word I coined in the title of your post! So glad you found some remedies -- not always easy to do. I agree with you that when I keep my expectations low, I am much happier with what I do manage to accomplish.
And now you have my interest piqued in Australian Idol if it's better then American Idol, I already can't get enough of that!
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