So these are the instructions Macy's mom and I have to tell Tanner and Macy before they play:
No peeing outside
No playing with water
No getting naked
No dumping out all toys
No dumping out multiple bags of food and stomping on them
No pulling plants out of the garden
No writing with pen on the computer screen
No kissing on the lips
You must realize that they ave done all of these things before, so the list seems to get longer everytime they play. The funny thing is they usually don't do the things we tell them not to do, they find new naughty things to do. It's actually quite amuzing. This was an activity Tanner participated in jus tthe other day. The picture does no justice to the water everywhere...
I've been thinking a lot lately about my attitude as a Mom and I know I need to improve. I want to be really positive and I'm trying to enjoy every moment I have with them. The time goes by so quickly! One of my dear friends from colorado Mary, told me something that has always stuck with me. We were talking about parenting and she said "sometimes you have to get off your butt" I think about that all the time when I'm doing one thing and a child needs something...again. Or when I'm busy and the kids are fighting, or whining about one thing or another, or the classic yell across the yard because I don't want to get up. When I do get off my butt things run so much smoother. They can see me there engaged with them, making eye contact, caring. Anyway, I've learned so much about being a parent. I've learned that sometimes it's so hard that I feel like I can't do it anymore, like I'm not good enough to take care of such amazing and draining kids =). But then the moment, or sometimes the week, or the month passes by and I find myself renewed and ready to enjoy whole heartedly again. I just want to say to all Mom's who have kids and sometimes feel like you're drowning in kidness- I've so been there. I know how important it is to get out, by yourself or with a friend and be YOU again. I can't say that enough, it's not selfish, it's necessary. Even just once every 2 weeks, get out and do something that you love to do. It will make you a better Mom, wife and person. I can already see such a difference in my stress level when I take that time for me. I was just talking to my sister Annette about that. We also talked about how hard it is to have little little kids. She has 2 kids under 2. That really is a 24 hour job. And it's an emotional roller coaster. One minute you feel like you could burst because you have children to attend to constantly, and the next they're both sleeping and you're thinking 'what was my problem, this is easy.' Anyway my point is, it gets better. Maddie is 6 and I can feel the difference, I'm not entertaining all day long, I don't have to dress every child, I no longer have 3 in diapers, and I'm actually sleeping through the night, and the kids don't have to be supervised 24/7. I love it! Heaven. So hang on if you're on the emotional no sleep, nasty diapers, spit up, crying multiple children phase. It's a great time of life and goes so quickly, but it does get a little less stressful =). Amen.
Sorry for the lengthy post...Does anyone else have any thoughts???
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Moms
Posted by
Jen-ben
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6 comments:
I know that I totally need to "get off my butt". I feel like such a lazy mom sometimes, and I know I could be better. (For instance right now, I'm down here on the computer while my kids are upstairs eating dinner and I can hear Jackson asking for something, and I'm ignoring it.) I'm horrible and I need to be better!
I'm so glad I'm not the only one feeling like I'm not doing enough! I was just thinking about how great it is now to have the kids older. I loved my kids when they were babies, but I must admit it is much easier now, plus since my kids are so close together in age, it's so great to see them play together! I totally agree with you.
Jen, I LOVE your list of rules! I have found that you sometimes end up saying the strangest things when you're a mom. Also, my internet filter tried to block your blog today for "pornography" and "adult/mature", which I thought was really funny. Don't worry, I just override it because I know it's probably because you said something about Tanner being naked...lol....
Jen,
I SO needed to read that! It's totally my life right now and I'm just exhausted.
Thank you for those thoughts. I'll have to come back and read this post a few times, I think, to help me remember!
Rachel
Jen, You are an amazing mom and an uplifting friend. Everytime I have a "bad mommy" day, you say something like this. So my new motto is "get off of my butt," get down on my knees and play with my greatest gifts, my kids!!!
I was laughing at the first part - are all kids the same!? And then the second part...ditto, ditto, ditto... to everything. The phrases that always come to mind are: put your shoulder to the wheel, and the one Pres. Hinckley was told by his father: forget yourself and go to work. It is true. It is better when you look at motherhood as an opportunity, something you're entrusted with - to shape lives! -rather than an endless chore. :) LOVED THE POST! I may have to put this one on my blog TOO! :) It is wonderful to hear it gets better and easier. I also appreciate you sharing the wonderfully honest feelings!!
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