My tribe (husband, child, dogs) apparently use me as their beacon for all things. For instance, November was SUPER busy for me! I did TWO holiday markets and was drowning in packing and fulfilling orders. Bailey came home from school and in one week alone, got her card pulled three times, my dogs pooped all over the house while I was away, and my husband had NOTHING to wear to work!
During times like those, I find that I get so deep into the tailspin that I can't even recover. Sometimes, I just have to ride out the storm and clean up the mess when it is over. I don't think that there is anything particularly "wrong" with being busy, but when I am not, I try to utilize that time a little better.
These are three tried and true tips for how to be more intentional with your days with your family, and they are EASY!
1. Dig Deep. I mean, spending all day working with the energy of a Olympic runner and then trying to be equally as energetic at home at night is hard. But, remember the old adage, "Energy produces energy." When we spend time with our family, it is meaningful and doing things that are meaningful draw an entirely new type of energy. Merely crashing at night means that you are floating through life uninspired. Take the time every day to be still and enjoy a couple minutes of silence with your loved ones.
2. Be Present. Think of time with your kids like a date night. You wouldn't sit on your phone across the table from your date, and you surely shouldn't with your kids. Unplug. When I commit to just sitting with Bailey and doing an activity with her, I get lost in it! I recently came across a study that said that the average working mom spent only 13 minutes a day giving her children one-on-one attention. Better yet, stay at home moms only gave 15! Being with your kids while folding laundry is not the same as being with your kids and playing Candyland - that time is not focused, the latter is. It is the best feeling to be completely connected and the more you do it, the more you will keep going back. The water that springs from that well is the best.
3. Put on your mask first. I once read an article where a mom was describing the need for women, especially mothers, to fill their own cup first. She described parenting like being on an airplane with your kids and the cabin loses pressure. Whose mask do you put on first? Instincts tell you to take care of your kids first, but if you don't care for yourself first, you can't take care of your kids. It's in the safety manual people! So, sometimes we need to go fill our own cup so we can be better parents, wives, friends, and co-workers.,. and that is ok.
xoxo
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| This was Bailey when she was just 2 months old. Looking back at old pictures is a good reminder to enjoy this time. (tear) |
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