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1. Leaving their wet towel on the bathroom floor
2. Granola bar wrappers left on the floor (noticing a theme?)
3. Jelly stuck on the table (from 2 weeks ago)
4. Backpack and homework all over the kitchen island (and floor)
5. Lost coat "coat.. um, it's at school"
6. Clean clothes in the laundry bin (I wore jeans 3 times before declaring them dirty!)
7. What's for dinner (as if knowing will change the fact that they have to eat it!)
8. Bathrooms trips when it's time to do chores
9. Hats and hoody's on in the house (who are they trying to hide from anyway?)
10. Request for more main entrée when veggies are still visible on the plate(The answer is No, duh)
As I made this list I could feel my blood pressure rising. Seriously I have allowed these 10 things (and many more) to physically have an impact on my life. I have allowed these things literally make me feel (and act) crazy. So last night, I made a decision, a silent pact with myself, that I would breathe and attempt to let these things go.
Let me clarify, when I say let them go, I do not mean that I will not remind my son that he needs to clean his space up after eating a pancake with his jelly. Or that I will be the one to pick up the snack wrapper instead of reminding my daughter that it needs to be done. What I mean by letting these things go is simply this, I have decided they will no longer have a significant impact on me. They are minor in the big picture and not at all worth my stress or anxiety. They certainly aren't worth a rise in my blood pressure. My children are making memories, they are enjoying life, doing homework, bathing and keeping their heads warm. They aren't going to die from not having a coat and the towel that is wet won't damage the bathroom floor made of tile.
In fact as I review this list I have come to realize that life is pretty wonderful. My children have a home with an island, jelly, hats and hoody's, clean clothes (most of the time) and a mom who cares enough to provide steamed veggies with their "out of the box" pizza. So don't mind me, I am just a mom who sometimes allows the little things to make me crazy. But not anymore, because like I said I made a pact to relax and
BREATHE
Who's with me?!
This reminds me of something I have to remind myself of often. Its not personal.... I remember my step mom used to get so upset at me when I would forget to empty the dishwasher as if I did it on purpose just to defy her or whatever she thought it was but no. I was a teenager in my own world and honestly probably pretty self absorbed as all teenagers are. Never once did I purposely forget something just to upset her and she should not have been so self absorbed to think it was all about her. So note to self when I get frustrated at my daughter for not doing all those things above, its not personal. Not that I dont have my moments!!! Remind them and move on... Just like how you eloquently put it "let it go" just my two cents :)
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ReplyDeleteI love your example. It makes me that much more resolved to not let these things get to me. To define my relationship with my children. Thanks Nicole, I needed that. Xxoo
ReplyDeleteI love your example. It makes me that much more resolved to not let these things get to me. To define my relationship with my children. Thanks Nicole, I needed that. Xxoo
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