After spending some time cleaning up my house today after a messy weekend, I learned a few lessons. Here's what I can share:
- Dishes, laundry and housework will NEVER dissapear. If you do it today, more will show up tomorrow.
- Time just keeps ticking...whether you are having fun or not.
- The T.V. is a magnet and a big time waster.
- Kids are just kids for a little while, so if you're busy doing housework or orders, you may miss it!!!
- I do not have to be supermom/woman and accomplish everything I think I need to for that day.
So, after mopping the floor and scrubbing the floorboards, I realized the above lessons and decided that enough is enough. I love a clean house and I can't stand to leave orders unattended BUT my kids are more important! I want to make the time to do special things with them and show them I love them by being THERE for them. As hard as it is for me, I am going to make a huge effort to leave the chores and orders, turn off the T.V. (my kids are watching it, not me) and just play! Tonight as I was trying to get the kids ready for bed, the boys put on their capes and started running around being superheroes. Max had on a knight helmet with a Batman cape and he was being so cute. He would run up and down the hallway with his feet jumping as he went and his arm out to shoot the bad guys. They were being so loud and I just looked a Pat and smiled at how precious our kids are. They can be loud, make messes and disobey and they don't go to bed when they are asked, but they are so sweet and forgiving. I got after Lukas for being silly and not laying down after asking him to go to bed. After a minute he turned to me and kissed me goodnight and immediatley fell asleep, even though Max was making noises and bugging him. I watched him as he slept and I felt bad for not making more time for him and for letting other things come before him. So...
- Leave the housework (unless the kids want to do chores with you!)
- Always have fun no matter what you're doing. And it there isn't anything fun to do, make it up!
- Use T.V. as a reward and not a babysitter.
- Enjoy your kids now!
- Get a planner so you know what needs to be done and what can wait. PRIORITIZE and get done what you can, then leave the rest.
12 comments:
This is awesome JaNece, very well said. I'm taking notes ;)
Way to go. Looks like I am going to need a couple of those capes. They are so cute.
I could use your tips above. I way over stress too. I'm really trying not to right now since I can't walk and my husband and kids are doing the best they can. I just turn my head the other way.Thanks for sharing your thoughts and making us realize what is most important.
Great tips! Aren't boys so fun.
-Emily;)
Easier said than done on my part... You are a great example. I struggle with finding balance in the home too. But I think it's like the analogy of the rocks and sand in the cup. If you put the sand in first, the rocks will never all fit. But if you put the rocks in first, then the sand can magically fall to the right and tiny places, making everything fit. Priorities are so important. And somehow everything else still gets done, if it was important to begin with. Did that make any sense?
My biggest problem is that I compare myself to others WAY too often. I sometimes get discouraged when I observe other moms, some who have more kids than I do, whose homes are always spotless & then I start wondering if I'm just not as on-the-ball as I should be. After reading this though, you couldn't have been MORE right! :) Kids do grow up WAY too fast, and there will always be plenty of time to clean the house. Both Lukas and Max look SO cute in their little super hero capes!
Good things to remember, I have a hard time with boys. The things I enjoy doing are more "girly" things so it takes a lot of effort for me to get into playing with my kids. Thanks for the advice.
You are a very smart mom!!
I love play time. I thought I had everything but I'm missing a cape and helmet. I'll be adding that to my list because it looks like too much fun. I've been missing out. LOL
Does this mean your house might possibly be messy when I come visit?! That would erase a lot of guilt in my life so I hope so! :) You already are supermom by the way. :) And those capes are so adorable! I love them! You took some great action shots too. Those boys are so cute!!!!
Great advice!
Janece I freaking love you I want to be just like you!!!
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