I will admit there are days I envy the working mom. To get away from the house, to dress up with a purpose and task to accomplish, yes this sounds so amazing to my personality.
However, being a stay at home mom can be just as rewarding, but to see the good, the purpose and the joy we have to have the right perspective. I have decided this is the most difficult issue for me as a stay at home mom; keeping right perspective.
This morning I woke up gave myself time to read and journal, which I LOVE to do, dressed in workout clothes and faced the morning with a plan. Breakfast was ready, table set, two year old diaper changed and I was working on lunches. The end goal for me this morning was to get the to do list of the morning done and fit in a run before I had to get ready to leave the house. I was packing second daughters sandwich and realized the clock was running out. I had only 15 min left before husband would be leaving with girls and I would not have time to go for that coveted run all by myself.
These are the moments I wish I could say freeze and time would stop! A superpower, I really believe would be so helpful as a mom. But sadly, it does not work like that and the clock keeps ticking. I slipped off my running shoes and hugged girls goodbye. The plan had been interupted, no run for me today. Husband and daughters leave and I sit curled up with my son feeling quite disappointed. Apparently I wear my emotions on my sleeve because as I looked down at my sons sweet face he says, "mommy you sad?" Now I truly was having a sad day. No run for me and no happy fun mommy for my son to see and play with. I realize I am harder on myself than anyone else, but I simply do not enjoy falling apart in front of my kids. I just know one day they will need therapy because of me :)
I let myself sulk on the couch for about five more minutes. Justifying thoughts about why this day is falling apart swirl in my head. I stare into space a moment feeling down and quickly realize I am staring right at my running shoes sitting next to my son on the floor. Up to this point my perspective was that I have failed my plan, I have lost the morning battle, this is it for my day.
As I am staring at my son playing with my shoes I realize his perspective, 'okay mommy won't play with me right now, I will play with something else, mommy's shoes!' He is a smart smart boy so maybe he was smart enough this morning to play with my shoes as a way to taunt me to get off the couch. He looked so cute, I could hardly stay sad watching him try to put on his mommy's shoes. Regardless of his motives, I knew I needed to follow in his footsteps. I stood up determined to change my perspective.
The truth of the day is I had time to read and journal which is a huge priority for me. I made a wonderful breakfast for my beautiful kiddos, I packed healthy lunches for them to eat and sent them off with cute hair and kisses. I did not get time to run by myself, but had plenty of time to fit in a workout with my son playing along in our living room! I quickly put on my shoes, turned on our 30 min. workout video and encouraged my two year old to jump along with me! For the next half hour I worked out while playing with my son!
Nope my morning did not go as planned and I did not get in my run, but I learned a valuable lesson taught by my toddler; when your first plan falls apart change your perspective and put on mommy's shoes :) ....in adult language it translates to; be grateful, go with the flow and make the most of your time. Don't give up and let lies and discouragment win.
Take hold of right perspective and enjoy your day!
Love it! Thank you for sharing, Melissa. It was an excellent reminder that every mommy needs to hear! :)
ReplyDeletelove this...I face the same battle so many times! Feeling glum just because I wasn't able to fit something in to my uber hectic day...I learnt a couple of years ago that I have a choice in how I respond to things & that just because one thing didn't go right, doesn't mean I have to let it steal the joy that awaits me in the remainder of the day! Great blog, thanks for sharing! :) Layla x
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