Thanksgiving, Blessings From Preschooler’s

I love this time of year for so many reasons, my children are celebrating another year older (4 and 6), I have also added another candle to my birthday cake, the streets are lined with the beautiful colors of Autumn, neighborhood lawns are covered with fall leaves, the calendar is filling up with holiday parties, and it’ time to meet with my children’s teachers, to review their progress and set goals.

As a teacher myself, it’s the time of year I have the pleasure of reading books to my students about the changes in weather, Fall colors, The First Thanksgiving, Turkey’s running and hiding from their farmers, and families near and far coming together for a special meal we call the Thanksgiving Feast. Discussions are centered on favorite foods that show up on our table for dinner and we are charting the many things we are thankful for: “my pets, reading books with my Mommy and Daddy, my Grandma and Grandpa, and my home.” We’ve made hand painted turkeys, family trees, and have pretended to be these trees blowing in the wind or the leaves falling to the ground. Walks to the park for playtime are slow moving in order to observe and share the sights and smells of the season.

I realize that what my students and my own child value most is exactly what this time of year is all about. We all know this, but with the hustle and bustle of the holidays we often get caught up in the commercializing of the season and what’s coming next. I know I do! As soon as Thanksgiving is over I’m already thinking about Christmas, money, and gifts. Do we have enough? Money and gifts? Did I eat too much, what will I wear to the holiday party, do I need a new outfit, etc…. If I slow down to remember the lessons taught to me by own preschooler’s, the answer is YES. Home, check. Family, check. Pets (dog, rabbit, fish) check. Play Dates, check. And, if I add in health and work I’d say things are looking pretty good.

Our little people are thankful for their family and time spent with them. They are grateful for the years past and the birthday ahead. As I said to my three-year old days before his fourth birthday, “Buddy, you are going to be 4 years old.” He said to me, “But I’m going to miss me because I am little, and I like to hold your hand, but when I’m 4, I get to play Tee-ball.” How could he be so wise? I wanted to tell him, I can totally relate. I miss my thirty something self like you wouldn’t believe, but at 42 there are still some pretty amazing gifts to look forward to, so 4 is going to be pretty awesome! “Besides, I’ll always hold your hand.”

So, as we prepare for Thanksgiving and whatever comes next, remember the blessings of my preschool students and the four year old I have at home. Notice the autumn colors, be thankful for the turkey that got away, remember the year that has past, appreciate the candle you added to your birthday cake, and the family and friends who gather around your table. These are the true blessings of the season.

Feeling Grateful. Feeling Blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Learning To Let Go, The Search for Fun and Love Breaks

This morning a friends FB post and related comments encouraged me to LET IT ALL GO! Let go of the housework, forget about the laundry, walking the dog, or even finding time for a work out. Put my cell phone down, turn off the TV, turn on some music and play with kids. Spend all day in pajamas, be lazy, and take a “love break!”

My friends FB post was a question I have asked a few of my super mom/girl friends recently in text: “As a working mom with children, what does your house look like on a good day? How do you keep it clean or do you?” I work part time and on most days it’s a total shit show. Laundry in the washer, dryer, folded in baskets, and stacked on the ironing board. The kitchen floor needs to be swept, mopped, dishwasher needs to be emptied so the dishes in the sink can be loaded and washed, breakfast bowls and cereal boxes need to be put away, as does all the fixings I took out of the fridge and pantry to pack school lunches while I got myself and three children ready for work and school. This is just the kitchen! I’m constantly cleaning, putting away, moving, and creating. I do not sit down and I do not have any fun.

Friends FB comments were comforting as most women could relate and share the frustration of trying to maintain a clean house while parenting, working, both, and searching for some balance. As I read on, one woman commented, “If I could go back in time (wish) I would clean less and play more.” I read this on my cell phone before even stepping out of bed and seeing my children. As we say in the education field, “I had an ah ha moment!” I am always cleaning and straightening up. I am always moving, telling my kids “as soon as I’m done with my chores.” When my five year old was in preschool she brought home a mother’s day project with answers to questions her teacher had asked her. “What does your Mommy like to do for fun?” Sadie answered with “My Mommy likes to sweep and mop the floor.” No, actually before having to sweep and mop the floor, I had hobbies, free time, and filled my life with fun. However, for the life of me I can’t remember what those hobbies were. What did I used to do for fun? My three year old asks “Mommy, when you are done with your chores can you play Bolly Ball (volley ball) with me?” He too, at 3 is observing mommy spend more time on housework then with he and his sisters. So, today I decided to challenge myself to letting it all go. Could I do it? YES and MOMMY HAD FUN!

Ways To Let It All Go and Making Time For Love Breaks:

1. Spend The Day In Your Pajama’s! I actually showered and put on my “cozies,” but Sadie stayed in her Sophia The First Night Gown and Brayden in his Zippy (fleece feety) pajamas all day. All Day, right up until bath time at 7pm.
2. Listen To Music. I selected the Jasmine Thompson station on Pandora. Jasmine is an English singer and songwriter. She is only 15 years old, but I love her sound and because she sings covers my kids also enjoy listening to her.
3. Dance! We danced in the kitchen as we waited for our cookies to bake. I picked up my daughter and twirled my son.
4. Bake. We baked chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies. Eat the cookies as soon as they cool off and before lunch. Why not!
5. Board Games. We played a board game and were able to talk about sportsmanship as my 3 year old was on the verge of a melt down because he didn’t win.
6. Play Ball In The House. We broke a house rule together and played ball inside. I set the boundaries and laid down the rules for doing so, but boy did my kids enjoy seeing mom cut loose a bit.
7. Wrestle. I wrestled with my 3 year old son while my 5 year old daughter patiently waited for opportunities to sneak in for a snuggle and when she did this is what I heard, “Mommy, isn’t this the most special day? We are having time together and taking a Love Break.”

Sadie is a highly emotional and sensitive child. She feels openly and deeply, she is me, her mother’s daughter (a future blog topic). In this moment, I was so grateful for making the conscious decision to let my chores go and simply be with my kids in our home together for an entire day. I hugged her tight, looked into her eyes, and said, “this has been the best day I have had in a long time and I can’t wait for more love breaks.” And from there, I grabbed my rambunctious boy, squeezed him and said, “Love Break!” Being a boy he of course wiggled away to play ball, but we now have a new term in our house and a new priority, ‘Love Break!”

Thank you FB, Sadie, and Brayden for the lessons you taught me today and for showing me how to have some fun!