Last night, my husband and children left me alone for 2+ hours. This can be an awesome experience...initially, but did I ever tell you I have an over-active imagination? My mind gets entertained by watching my self get into freak-out mode....So there I was, sipping my chamomile tea, enjoying the silent bliss, Reading...thinking....thinking....freaking out!
After much too much thought, a little bit of a breakdown started in. I started reflecting on how many hours I had dedicated to other people's children at work, building their minds and character, yet my own little guys were neglected and at risk for becoming rebellious heathen! I hadn't volunteered in any of their classrooms, they were probably going to have horrible grades because I was too exhausted to help them with their work when I got home, my house was always filled with family members and chaos, even my children couldn't find peace...my babies! my precious babies!
Panic set in as I realized it had been months since I had even sat down with them for a bible study...My little lambs needed
shepherding but their stand-in Shepherd had been too busy to tend to the lambs :( (thank God the OG Sherpherd (Jesus) is still around when I'm too busy!)
I got down on my knees and started praying over my household, over my thoughts, and over our future. As I said Amen, my husband and kids were just walking up from Son #1's Allstar practice. Husband enters the room and sees frazzled wife at bedside, "We are failing as parents!" I belt out. It is apparent to him that he was gone too long....
This was a mini- parental breakdown. These come on every now and then. I feel they are quite necessary to help me reassess my priorities and get my life back in check when it all becomes a little whack. Anyway, I shoved those kids into the shower (lovingly, of course) and plopped them into bed with me that night as we talked about life, read from Hebrews, and assessed the way things have been going lately and our plans for the summer.
The next morning, I'm pinning through Pinterest and I come across this awesome and reassuring Pin that made the slightest bubble of pride erupt within me because I actually do this stuff and apparently kids really like it!...(CAUTION: be very careful of those pride bubbles, when they start getting big, your children will pop them in public and embarass the Sh!t out of you with rebellious behavior as a humbling technique from above I suppose...So you don't start thinking that your parenting success is solely of your own efforts...betta check yo-self fools, it's by the grace of God that my kids are good, that my house is in order, and that I don't beat my children on a daily basis...) anyway, back to the post:
From the following blog: Hands Free Momma
The Top Ten Things Kids Really Want Their Parents to Do with Them
1. Come into my bedroom at night, tuck me in and sing me a song. Also, tell me stories about when you were little.
I totally do this for my kids. I even double up on the back rubs and head massages because my athletic rascals need these like their mother does; however, the stories part about when I was younger are a little gangster in style. They tend to be too frightening to speak of just before bedtime...
2. Give me hugs and kisses and sit and talk with me privately.
without question, we are hug and kisses fools around here. No problem here.
3. Spend quality time just with me, not with my brothers and sisters around
The husband is really good at this. This is something I need to work on. I generally just herd them around without one-on-one time.
4. Give me nutritious food so I can grow up healthy.
Hey! I'm pretty damn good at this one, I thought they weren't fans of the Tupperware and not proud to dote the fruit bowls and grain bars. Score Here!
5. At dinner, talk about what we could do together on the weekend.
Now, this is something that used to happen a lot more often. Our house has been so filled with various humans lately, we've been skimping on the family dinner talks. But we still do fun stuff together on the weekends i.e. hiking, beach time, bike rides.
6. At night talk to me about anythings: love, school, family, etc.
Now here's the part that makes me sad. This used to be a regular thing after bible study time. But Momma Bear being in the workplace has an effect on her exhaustion levels and thus cuts in on nightly talks. Now that schools out, I'm all ears kids!
7. Let me play outside a lot.
I'm allllll about kicking the kids out of the house to get some fresh air and help deplete their energy levels so that they are calm indoors. This one is a no-brainer.
8. Cuddle under a blanket and watch our favorite TV show together.
The husband is a master at implementing this one. Good job husband :)
9. Discipline me. It makes me feel like you care.
I love this one! Now keep in mind, the word disciple and discipline are close in meaning. To discipline is not all about spanking and head knocking, or taping mouthes shut (see photo: *CPS disclosure, the children depicted were not emotionally or physically harmed during the taking of this shot). It means to teach....Now, if your children are kinesthetic learners and learn best with a hands-on approach, maybe they need a good whoop to the pants to learn what you are trying top teach them...just a theory.
dis·ci·pline
Noun
| The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience. |
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Verb
| Train (someone) to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience. |
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Synonyms
| verb. | punish - school - castigate - train - correct - chastise |
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10. Leave special messages in my desk or lunch bag.
T
his one is a rarity but not obsolete. I do this once in a blue moon and it is appreciated. I suppose I could do this more often.
So there you have it. What kids need for their hearts to thrive. Husband, if you are reading this, I take back my previous statement and declare, We are not failing our children after-all We do all this jazz and more with our beasts and apparently, they appreciate getting slapped upside their heads when they back-talk (see #9). Lesson learned: when the freak-out sessions start to happen in my mind, I will put my love for my children into action and of course pray, pray, pray, so I can see straight: I'm not so bad.
Getting these buns in shape with Sister Ugly as we bike all over town in hopes that we will melt our "double butts" while simultaneously working on our tans...
Letting loose with my crew and indulging in an occasional dranky drank as I kick my feet up, get a massage from my well-trained boys, and enjoy the company of this awesome family I've been given. I'm looking forward to these next few months...Summa Tiiiiiiiime, let's hope the livins easy.
Getting these buns in shape with Sister Ugly as we bike all over town in hopes that we will melt our "double butts" while simultaneously working on our tans...
