Being a mom is undoubtedly the hardest, most stressful job that there is. It’s long hours, mostly without breaks and the only pay involved is the priceless unconditional love we receive daily. We work hard to provide for our family, but we don’t always feel like we’re doing our best. Why? We are loving, caring, funny, witty (OK…maybe not always funny and witty, but definitely loving and caring) and we give from our hearts – ALWAYS.
We are too hard on ourselves to be perfect. To have a perfectly clean house, perfectly dressed children, perfectly cooked meals – all goals we strive to achieve, but feel like we’ve failed if we don’t keep this up on a daily basis. Do our children care if the dishes are done from lunch before dinner is cooked? NO. Do our neighbors know that we didn’t have time to wash our child’s hair before bed and that’s the reason it’s in a pony tail? NO. So why are we so hard on ourselves when it’s all not perfect and complete?
It’s time to step back and enjoy our children while they are young and while they still think we’re the greatest thing on earth (and funny and witty). Take time to just sit with your kids and just be – no phones, no Internet, no TV. Be still and actually listen to their little funny stories – no matter if they sound like jibber jabber or complete sentences. Give your child your undivided attention today. Read them stories for twenty minutes, a half hour or even an hour if they want. Let the dishes pile up. Hopefully, someone will take care of them for you – or not – and you can catch up with them once the kids are sleeping. Enjoy your time together as they are only young once and one day you’ll wonder where all those special moments have gone – you’ll wonder why you didn’t enjoy them more when you had them around all the time.
On the days you feel like giving up or like you’re not making a difference or that it’s all overwhelming – stop what you’re doing, sit back and just watch your children. Sit still and listen to their laughter and giggles as they dance a silly dance or chase the dog around the yard or pull yet another pot out of the cabinet and bang it repeatedly on the floor and smile while doing it. I promise you’ll find that little feeling that tells you that it is all worth it. That feeling that confirms that being a mom IS the hardest job in the world – but it is the most rewarding and best darn job you’ll ever have!
* Will you take my advice? If so, share with me how you spent time with your children today. How did you enjoy your time together and how did it feel? Is this something you already do or do you need a little work on it. I know I do. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it!
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s really hard for me to stay motivated to enjoy my time with my kids-at-home now… since I’m 53 years old and have been parenting for 27 years so far. I think that’s probably the hardest part about being a mom… staying motivated when the years turn into decades… and the energy wanes… and we begin to really *need* the “me time” and to turn our focus on ourselves, which by the time you’re 53 you haven’t done in a very long time. But, whether 53, 43, 33 or 23… we moms just keep plugging away, don’t we?! =) Thanks for your blog… I really enjoy it. Have a wonderful day.
I’m sure, after 27 years of being a mom, it would be hard to stay motivated! But, by that time…you deserve some “me” time for sure!
Great post! My girls are almost 11 and 14 so we don’t get the daily play time like when they were toddlers.
But we still spend time together everyday over dinner and we spend time on the weekends doing fun activities or just hanging out.
They grow up so fast so enjoy your little ones.
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They grow up fast for sure! Good for you for spending time together over dinner. Not too many people do that anymore!
I am a big fan of Kindermusic classes with Eric! He gets friend time, and the songs and lessons promote his intellectual and physical development. Most of all, it’s something special we get to do together, and it’s funny as heck to watch the kids.
Kindermusic is a great way to spend time with your child! Great tip!!
Such great advice! With my little one being in school, I miss him (A LOT) during the days. But from 4 until bedtime we get lots of quality time in, some days it’s just talking on the couch, playing a game, or even just snuggling up with some good books. It’s my favorite part of the day!
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My daughter is only in preschool and I miss her the 3 days a week she is gone for only 2 hours. I can’t imagine full time school! Boohooo!
Sometimes with all the work I have to do around the house, I find it hard to get the motivation to just sit down, relax, and play with the kiddos. Lat night, we all sat down and played a board game as a family and today we played football.
It’s a nice pick-up when you see the happiness your kids have when you actually slow down for a second!
It is hard to forget about the work we have to do and just be with our kids. It seems that there is always something that needs done!
I love this post, it really speaks to me. I’ve been trying to do it all, and be it all, and I always feel like I’m falling short. I need to just give myself a break, it will be better for everyone. So tomorrow, I’m going to take my kiddo outside and just follow him around. We’ll do what he wants to do.
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This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article!
Ed Hardy