How often do you think of family life as an adventure or delightful experience? If you and your children are having a good day, then you might buy into this idea. However, many of you are probably laughing hysterically now. What is delightful about the children fighting for the umpteenth time today? Sometimes I bet your family life feels like a jungle with screeching and swinging monkeys.
It can be all too easy to get caught up in trying to control what is happening in the home instead of enjoying what is. God blessed us with beautiful children and we are most in touch with that precious love when the house is quiet and we watch them peacefully sleeping. So how can we connect to that love and enjoyment in the midst of family life?
Spend Quality Time with your Children
Spending quality time with children requires your full and undivided attention. Oftentimes moms are so busy trying to manage everything that we have one ear to the children and our mind on a million other things. Our children talk to us and we say "uh huh" without really hearing them. We take them to their games, lessons, etc. but how much do we really interact with them? To be delighted by your children, you need to be fully connected to them. You need to listen and marvel at how truly wonderful they are. Participate in activities they love. Relish their laughter and their unique personalities. It won't be long before your children are grown and gone from the house.
Understand Each Developmental Stage
To really enjoy your children, you need to understand who they are and what they are going through. The journey of a child to adulthood is filled with a multitude of changes. It is helpful to get inside your child's shoes by learning about the various stages of development. For instance, the other day I stripped my 3-1/2 year to get him ready for his bath. I said, "Come on, it's time for your bath." He looked at me with the meanest face he could muster and said, "NO!" It is much easier to deal with the defiance if you know that a 3 year olds' mission is to exert his independence. Here's this little guy wanting to grow up and be independent, but he knows deep down, he is still dependent on mom, and he doesn't like that. So I picked him up and held him in front of the mirror. He exercised his most defiant no over and over until he started laughing. Each stage of life, from infant to young adult, brings new behaviors and new growth. Educate yourself so you know what to expect from your child. Sometimes just understanding that your child is "normal" will help you relax as a mother.
Don't Be Afraid to Discipline
No one likes being around an unruly child. Children with a lack of discipline make motherhood stressful and less than pleasurable. Our job as mothers is to raise respectful, productive and loving adults. In order to do this, we need to teach our children boundaries. They need to know what acceptable and unacceptable behavior is. You have to set limits and avoid setting up a child-centered family. Children need to understand they are a part of a family and each individual has their own needs. Help them work together with other family members to create a peaceful and loving environment. An effective and disciplined family unit is truly a wonderful adventure.
Be Intentional about Motherhood
What would make motherhood more enjoyable for you? Take the time to reflect on what needs to change in your family to increase the level of enjoyment for you. Be intentional about those changes. Maybe you want to make time to take care of yourself as a mother. Perhaps you long to be a more consistent parent. This month I am focusing on encouraging independence in my family. My motto is "everyone will do what they are capable of doing for themselves." Not only does this teach my children valuable skills, it frees me from unnecessary responsibility and gives me more time to be with my family. Setting intentions help you create a life you love.
Keep a Positive Reflection Journal
How do you want to see your children and your family life? Do you want to see motherhood as challenging or delightful? If you focus on the undesirable aspects of your family, then that is the experience you will create. If however, you can concentrate on the positive qualities of your children and your journey, you will create a rewarding family life. At the end of every day, take the time to record in a journal all the positive things your children said or did that day. Reflect on all the fun you had that day. Notice the wonderful qualities of each person in your family. And on your bad days when you find yourself wondering why on earth you ever decided to have children, pull out your journal and remind yourself what a truly amazing journey you are on.
Lori Radun, certified life coach for moms. Get her FREE monthly ezine for moms who want encouragement and coaching on living peaceful, balanced and fulfilling lives at http://www.true2youlifecoaching.com
? 2005 True to You Life Coaching, LLC
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareIt has been a long day. Home from work, you... Read More
As parents and teachers, sometimes we want to praise, at... Read More
Successful families don't just happen. They take time, talent and... Read More
Every week I write something about the stock market -... Read More
Once your little boy/girl goes off to school, you may... Read More
Fall marks the beginning of many new things both for... Read More
When was the last time you and your kids rolled... Read More
For parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More
From criticizing a spouse, to claming up about one's own... Read More
Fizzy sherbet in a paper bag with a strawberry lollipop... Read More
1. They are leaders as well as parents. They don't... Read More
When parents help their children learn to read, they help... Read More
Angie was brought up by rigid, authoritarian parents who kept... Read More
"The greatest gift I ever had Came from God, and... Read More
"Just turn the lights off and go to sleep"Do you... Read More
Although it might seem pretty corny to a lot of... Read More
Q: Whenever we tell my daughter "no," she just bugs... Read More
Ever feel like you're out of the loop when it... Read More
Dads, please let me encourage you to change some things... Read More
We are all familiar with the stories that most students... Read More
This can be a very complicated issue, so I don't... Read More
Those of you that have children know what an excursion... Read More
At first I thought of titling this article "The Lazy... Read More
One of the biggest milestones in our children's education is... Read More
? Let the child choose his or her own lunch... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..A number of scientific studies have shown the way a... Read More
Do you want to create a deeper, more loving relationship... Read More
There are a lot of sophisticated parenting theories and techniques... Read More
There is no doubt that the benefits of being a... Read More
Volunteering together is a fantastic way to spend time as... Read More
I remember when my daughter was born. Visions of her... Read More
My daughters and I went to the beach several weeks... Read More
You have two kids who are 14 months apart. How... Read More
Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our... Read More
The techniques of managing relationships between parents and their children... Read More
Sara loves pampering. Haircuts, facials, manicures, and makeup bring smiles,... Read More
Do you have a wild child? Then this article may... Read More
Pool safety should be on the minds of every parent... Read More
Home-schooling provides children with a superior education. Parents can quickly... Read More
I don't know how people raise daughters because I have... Read More
In our last article about the neurology of ADHD we... Read More
Parents of teenagers frequently ask what can be done to... Read More
What parents of a teen haven't wondered where their sweet... Read More
When kids try new things, sometimes it's a 'fit' and... Read More
Ah, potty training! Go to a local bookseller and you... Read More
Now is an excellent time to have your child's vision... Read More
Here we will come to know who are the most... Read More
Your daughter tells you that Uncle Charley has touched her... Read More
If You're Having Twins..is it double the headache, or double... Read More
Q. "What do you want to be when you grow... Read More
Parenting |