When you first decided to clear a path, there was probably this little mantra going on inside of your head..."You're filthy, neglectful, disgusting". You tell that little voice to shut up.
Today, we're going to talk about progress (not perfection)
The voice of progress says "Way to go!! You got all seven children brushed and bedded down last night"
The voice of perfection says "I can't believe it's taken you seven years to get your kids feet washed every night!"
Listen, women, this mommy guilt has GOT TO GO!!!
It's not productive, it isn't healthy, but most of all IT ISN'T FAIR.
Here's a little secret I want to share with you, and don't you ever forget it...Guilt is just part of motherhood. That's right. Even if you were June Cleaver, you'd still be plagued with thoughts like "Joey's mother brought apricot bars to the open house...and I only brought brownies"
Okay, how stupid does that sound? Would any domestic diva really believe that brownies are sub-standard to apricot bars?
Sure do. Brought to you courtesy of "the accusser of the brethren" slew-foot himself. This is the same turkey who uses reasoning like "Your left hand looks different than your right hand. Ha!"
The truth is, even if you did have it all together, that voice, and those guilty feelings would still be there because...
CONDEMNATION is different than CONVICTION
Conviction is just a buzz word that Christians use to describe that still small voice, called your conscience.
Your conscience already knows that it's not suppossed to be this way.
But the truth is, if you have Jesus living in your heart, He will come along side of your convicted conscience and encourage you.
Now, just like Jesus wants to encourage you, there is someone who wants to DIScourage you (hmmm, guess who that is).
God motivates, but the enemy alienates. That's right, God wants to restore us to himself, and heal us in every way. He's not mad at us. He is overflowing with compassion and mercy. And He knows we try.
Satan wants to alienate you. In other words, he wants you to stay far away from God, and from facing up to the truth.
Don't be afraid to face this thing head on. You're a great mom. You're just different. And I just know that you are a wonderful person.
God's not mad at you. He's crazy about you. And he is NEVER going to give up on you. 1 Chronicles 28:20 20And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. (1 Chronicles 28:20, King James Version)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Look Ma, no teeth!
Hopefully, you've already guessed what this post is about, and you're rounding up those toothbrushes.
I know. Just try looking behind the sofa, in the freezer, the sock drawer,,,all the usual places.
Let's try not to double up on this...most children, at least by age 12, catch on that it's not normal to share their siblings toothbrush.
And no, I am NOT suggesting that you go and by everyone their own. As in, their own to lose, their own to end up getting used as a scrub brush when the ajax runs out, or the brillo...okay, those days are over.
'Cuz, today, we have a plan. You see that cord on the end of your phone (I already know that you don't have a cordless phone, or if you do, it's beeping too mildly to locate--try the laundry pile--one of them)
That's the kind of cord you want.
Try looking for an old slinky, if other options fail.
Also, bungie cords work great for this.
Now that you have your cord, it's time to drop anchor.
I recommend attatching the bungie to the window sill over the kitchen sink.
I know, it's ideal to brush the kids teeth in the bathroom.
This is great, if they are over seven, and don't resist.
For all others, I recommend the following strategies:
Bribe
Catch, and
Tackle. Tickling is a fairly effective way of getting your toddlers mouth open. Once they're laughing, they usually comply.
Kitchen counters aren't effective "operating' stations for squirmers.
Truth be told, bunking them down, sleepy eyed, and brushing dry is better than nothing. Slather them with fluoride in the morning.
I know. Just try looking behind the sofa, in the freezer, the sock drawer,,,all the usual places.
Let's try not to double up on this...most children, at least by age 12, catch on that it's not normal to share their siblings toothbrush.
And no, I am NOT suggesting that you go and by everyone their own. As in, their own to lose, their own to end up getting used as a scrub brush when the ajax runs out, or the brillo...okay, those days are over.
'Cuz, today, we have a plan. You see that cord on the end of your phone (I already know that you don't have a cordless phone, or if you do, it's beeping too mildly to locate--try the laundry pile--one of them)
That's the kind of cord you want.
Try looking for an old slinky, if other options fail.
Also, bungie cords work great for this.
Now that you have your cord, it's time to drop anchor.
I recommend attatching the bungie to the window sill over the kitchen sink.
I know, it's ideal to brush the kids teeth in the bathroom.
This is great, if they are over seven, and don't resist.
For all others, I recommend the following strategies:
Bribe
Catch, and
Tackle. Tickling is a fairly effective way of getting your toddlers mouth open. Once they're laughing, they usually comply.
Kitchen counters aren't effective "operating' stations for squirmers.
Truth be told, bunking them down, sleepy eyed, and brushing dry is better than nothing. Slather them with fluoride in the morning.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
A Brand New Day
I know...so you didn't find everything. But so what? At least you have some of the things that you need;
even if you're still missing your:
You really are.
And so, today, I'm going to ask you to do something you probably aren't thinking of...today I would like for you to write down what you've done so far.
Forget for now, about what you haven't done. I mean, comeon, when reality sets in, and you realize the magnitutude of this thing, you should probably be on vacation first. So no lists.
Just progress lists, as in LOOK WHAT I"VE DONE SO FAR.
(by the way, did you know that when you type in caps, it means you're screaming?)
Go ahead, hoop for joy. Stick your head out the window and shriek (through a side window, please).
:) Or, shoot me an email in all caps.
That's all for now.
even if you're still missing your:
- shoes
- toothbrush
- underwear
- socks (if you actually do wear socks...ore even underwear)
You really are.
And so, today, I'm going to ask you to do something you probably aren't thinking of...today I would like for you to write down what you've done so far.
Forget for now, about what you haven't done. I mean, comeon, when reality sets in, and you realize the magnitutude of this thing, you should probably be on vacation first. So no lists.
Just progress lists, as in LOOK WHAT I"VE DONE SO FAR.
(by the way, did you know that when you type in caps, it means you're screaming?)
Go ahead, hoop for joy. Stick your head out the window and shriek (through a side window, please).
:) Or, shoot me an email in all caps.
That's all for now.
First things first
Whenever I'm getting ready to move, I always pack a suitcase full of what I'll need for the first few days. You know, just because I know it might be a while before I locate the essentials.
That's what you're going to do: Locate all of the clean clothes you can for a day or two of wear. (I do realize that they probably are not going to be clean, nor will they match, depending on your level of/ lack of efficiency)
Just get what you need, because tomorrow's going to be different than today....(we're moving, remember)
So let's just make this assignment three. (by the way, how do you like these assignments so far?)
Check with you tomorrow.
Sue.
p.s. Keep up the good work. One day, you'll laugh at all this.
That's what you're going to do: Locate all of the clean clothes you can for a day or two of wear. (I do realize that they probably are not going to be clean, nor will they match, depending on your level of/ lack of efficiency)
Just get what you need, because tomorrow's going to be different than today....(we're moving, remember)
So let's just make this assignment three. (by the way, how do you like these assignments so far?)
Check with you tomorrow.
Sue.
p.s. Keep up the good work. One day, you'll laugh at all this.
Moving Day
Today its time to play a game. Us DCP (domestically challenged persons) do it all the time...you know what I mean...but more of that later. Right now, we're going to pretend we're moving.
YIPPEEEE! Out with the old, and in with the new. Don't worry...we won't be throwing away the old...yet.
First, gather up all of the boxes you can. (okay. I know...all of the boxes are full). So, start packing everything that is packable into heavy duty garbage bags. Now, be real careful here not to try and organize it all. Forget that.
Two exceptions (well, four). Don't pack anything edible, or any photos/precious momentos (I know, it's all precious, but just try looking at each item as though you aren't attatched to it.) And when you scan the items, do a quick scan. In other words, you should be able to tell at a quick glance if its your marriage license, or just a simple note like "honey, i picked up joey from play practice". Don't stop and read everything, please.
Concentrate on the top 12 inches of your newly constructed wall, and work from left to right. By tomorrow, you will be able to see over the left side of your new valley.
So let's begin.
YIPPEEEE! Out with the old, and in with the new. Don't worry...we won't be throwing away the old...yet.
First, gather up all of the boxes you can. (okay. I know...all of the boxes are full). So, start packing everything that is packable into heavy duty garbage bags. Now, be real careful here not to try and organize it all. Forget that.
Two exceptions (well, four). Don't pack anything edible, or any photos/precious momentos (I know, it's all precious, but just try looking at each item as though you aren't attatched to it.) And when you scan the items, do a quick scan. In other words, you should be able to tell at a quick glance if its your marriage license, or just a simple note like "honey, i picked up joey from play practice". Don't stop and read everything, please.
Concentrate on the top 12 inches of your newly constructed wall, and work from left to right. By tomorrow, you will be able to see over the left side of your new valley.
So let's begin.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Lesson one
First, you clear a path.
Now, mind you, I'm not talking about some trail through the woods. I'm talking about a footprint sized slice of bare floor, winding through the Andes.
As you walk through this jungle called home, be careful for falling items. As you shove things to one side, just take care not to stack them so high that they can fall on a small child.
If you know that there are breakables, spillables, and open food (and really, if there isn't, why are you reading this??) just take care not to plow into anything that will spill, break, or breed maggots once it's burined.
Believe me, I have full confidence in you. Because you are the woman who can find that needle (bra, diaper, credit card) in a haystack.
Rest assured, there is no one better suited for plowing this path,than yourself.
Why We are Like We Are
First off, do you even want to know why? Or do you just want to get better...
Why.
You hate housework.
You love housework to much to approach it if you can't do it perfectly.
Housework scares and or intimidates you.
Your mother loved to clean.......waaaayyyy too much.
Your mother hated cleaning.
Your mother showed you how to clean...over, and over,,, and over.......
NO one ever showed you. You are floundering for an example.
The truth is, it really doesn't matter why you don't like to clean, or why you don't.
We are simply going to get you on track.
Why.
You hate housework.
You love housework to much to approach it if you can't do it perfectly.
Housework scares and or intimidates you.
Your mother loved to clean.......waaaayyyy too much.
Your mother hated cleaning.
Your mother showed you how to clean...over, and over,,, and over.......
NO one ever showed you. You are floundering for an example.
The truth is, it really doesn't matter why you don't like to clean, or why you don't.
We are simply going to get you on track.
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