Mommy Truths of 2011
As 2011 comes to a close I wanted to take a moment to reflect on 5 things I know to be true in my life as a mom. I hope to use these truths to build a happy, healthy, and creative 2012.
1) Moderation is key. Motherhood doesn't have to be all or nothing. A Mommy in motion can get a lot done (including laundry and crafts). A Mommy at rest wants to act like a sloth, sit on the couch, watch tv, and eat ice cream. I'm a lot happier relaxing once I've gotten some stuff done so I try to schedule 30 minutes of chores and work as fast as possible. It's amazing how much cleaning/chores can get done with some good music and a timer telling me when to stop. Next I schedule 30 minutes of play time (either with the kids or something I want to do). Then I keep repeating the cycle. I'm happier, the kids get their special "mommy time," and the kids want to help clean up when mom makes it look like a game with a buzzer and music.
2) Revisiting childhood. One of the things I love most about being a mom is getting to do all those things I enjoyed as a kid: going to the zoo, creating art, playing outdoors and doing sports for fun not exercise, impromptu dance parties in the living room, escaping into a good chapter book, writing, playing pretend. I hope to create some bucket lists (short and long term) to help me explore my creative, childlike side more.
3) Pirates need a map and I need a plan. Even if it is a loose plan I need some kind of schedule or list to get chores done and accomplish my creative pursuits. Maybe this is why I ignored blogging for many months or haven't done a pen-and-ink sketch in years.
4) Perfect is a dirty word. Good enough is awesome. I am awesome and you are awesome. We waste too much time trying to be perfect for ourselves or someone else. If I can stay true to who I am I will always be in touch with my own awesomeness.
5) Make life fun. Sometimes I just need to channel my inner Tim Gunn but instead of "making it work" my challenge is to "make it fun." When Mommy is having a good time so is everyone else. I try not to worry about looking silly while having fun and if I do look silly I have to remember life truth #4 -- I am awesome.
1) Moderation is key. Motherhood doesn't have to be all or nothing. A Mommy in motion can get a lot done (including laundry and crafts). A Mommy at rest wants to act like a sloth, sit on the couch, watch tv, and eat ice cream. I'm a lot happier relaxing once I've gotten some stuff done so I try to schedule 30 minutes of chores and work as fast as possible. It's amazing how much cleaning/chores can get done with some good music and a timer telling me when to stop. Next I schedule 30 minutes of play time (either with the kids or something I want to do). Then I keep repeating the cycle. I'm happier, the kids get their special "mommy time," and the kids want to help clean up when mom makes it look like a game with a buzzer and music.
2) Revisiting childhood. One of the things I love most about being a mom is getting to do all those things I enjoyed as a kid: going to the zoo, creating art, playing outdoors and doing sports for fun not exercise, impromptu dance parties in the living room, escaping into a good chapter book, writing, playing pretend. I hope to create some bucket lists (short and long term) to help me explore my creative, childlike side more.
3) Pirates need a map and I need a plan. Even if it is a loose plan I need some kind of schedule or list to get chores done and accomplish my creative pursuits. Maybe this is why I ignored blogging for many months or haven't done a pen-and-ink sketch in years.
4) Perfect is a dirty word. Good enough is awesome. I am awesome and you are awesome. We waste too much time trying to be perfect for ourselves or someone else. If I can stay true to who I am I will always be in touch with my own awesomeness.
5) Make life fun. Sometimes I just need to channel my inner Tim Gunn but instead of "making it work" my challenge is to "make it fun." When Mommy is having a good time so is everyone else. I try not to worry about looking silly while having fun and if I do look silly I have to remember life truth #4 -- I am awesome.