Month: January 2017

Growing up, my days were spent doing homework, playing with friends, and practicing piano.  That was it.  On weekends, I did some chores around the house.  OK, I may have dabbled in softball for a season or two.

Now a days, kids are caught up in a whirlwind of sports, activities, and schedules.    We are guilty of it ourselves.  Wanting to provide our kids as many opportunities as possible they are scheduled 6 (and honestly sometimes 7) days a week. For my son right now: basketball, house hockey, select hockey, and swim.  For my daughter: swim team and violin.  Our lives during the week totally revolve around the calendar.  Without it we are lost…seriously lost.  Now, don’t get me wrong, these are all activities my kids love doing.

On the positive side, my kids are great when it comes to making friends and adapting to new situations. They are great at listening to a coach or being a “team player”.   On the down side, they are scheduled.  The crazy thing is that in our area other kids are already “specializing “in sports or activities.  So my kids are actually “behind”.

Balance in life is “key”.  However does it really work in today’s world? When is enough really ENOUGH?

How often do your children argue? Where do they do it most often?

My kids are fond of bickering with each other in the car. Even though we specifically purchased a car with captain seats in the hopes of providing “personal space”, it hasn’t helped.   Squabbles range from “his feet are on my side” to ” she is looking at me”.  It seems to always center around one of them feeling an “injustice” has been done.  Obviously, kids concept of fairness differs from ours. And yes, between ages 7-11 “fairness” means “equality” and logic is lacking.  However, knowing this doesn’t make it any easier or more bearable.

Tonight, by the time we got to swim team practice, I had run a complete cycle of emotions.  Professionals suggest using these times as “teaching moments”.   Sometimes that isn’t possible.  I admit…there are days that I lose patience and really have no interest in presenting how “win-win” situations are better for all.  I tried letting them go to figure it out themselves praying reason or common sense would kick in at any second. However, the arguing progressed and started to include name calling.

After blocks of deep breathing and trying to tune them out by turning up the radio, I finally broke.  I quickly shut off the radio at the stop sign…spun around and said…”name calling is the worst option ever. In real life, it is an awful strategy when trying to get your way and never ever works.” They just sat staring…blank faces.    I then proceeded to turn back on the radio…and ironically “Getaway” by Earth,Wind,and Fire came on. As I drove on listening to “Getaway”, I thought about how funny life can be.  Years and years ago, it was my brother and I fighting in the back of the car.  At that time, there were no IPads or DVD players.  I remembered how many times my mom or dad turned around and threatened to pull over the car.  And what did we fight about?  The same things my kids fight about now. Smiles. Deep Breathes.  It is all OK. It all works out.

 

 

Well s the guest snipper of the day –  aka the mother of Ruthann.  Here’s what is going on.

My mind is swirling.  My son thinks I should have a blog.  My response to that was that he just wanted all my advice to go to the blog and and not to him.  But, I think I may just do the blog.  My response to what is my “passion”:  if I could catch up with being behind I could concentrate on having a passion.  Maybe at this stage of the game my passion is catching up, staying ahead of the game, and keeping up with life in general.  My blog will be coming soon:  look for “Free Range Ramblings”.  It might not be daily.  After all my motto is:  if I don’t get it done today nobody will do if for me and thus I will do it tomorrow!

We are in Pittsburgh this weekend for our son’s hockey tournament.  Here is this little nine-year old that smiles getting onto the ice no matter what the time. Practices are 5:30am on Sundays and he actually springs out of bed to go…not one complaint.  Some days he has double games.  Hits, falls, and frustration never deter him.  The kids that make up his team do not go to school with him.  They are from all over the county.  However, Peter doesn’t mind.  His fire and energy just glow.  For Peter, this spirit makes him happy and brings him a feeling of accomplishment.

Peter’s true enthusiasm has got me thinking.

What is your passion?  Have you found it?  Are you pursing it? How you do you make it fit into your adult life?If you don’t know what your passion is, look back to your childhood and think about what made you happy.   Art? Music? Cooking?  A sport?

I see the benefits of pursing a passion when I watch Peter.

Increased self-confidence

Expanding your boundaries

Empowerment

If all these positive results can occur for a nine-year old, think of how beneficial this can be for you.  Dream on.  Believe.  Reach for it.

 

 

 

As a kid, I thought anything over 40 was old and here I am turning “47”  😂

The years have gone fast…especially after having my kids. Sometimes these last 11 years have been blurred.  Blurred to the point where hours, days, and weeks just melt together and only thing that directs me is my calendar.  A calendar filled with practices, games, school obligations, etc.

So, this year, my birthday gift to myself  (and my family) is building a better me.  Slowing down to re-energize and reconnect. Slowing down to be the best I can be.  It will be hard, but making these changes or being more consistent doing them will benefit us all!

🎈30 minutes of “me”time each day. This can be spent reading or watching a show on TV. It could be soaking in the tub. Anything where the time is spent enjoying and relaxing…not working and definitely without my IPhone. This will be harder than it seems.  I always feel the need to be “doing”.

🎈Remembering to take 10 deep breaths before responding when upset or frustrated.  Sometimes my reactions are too raw.  I need to remember to think before I speak.

🎈Focusing on what is important. For me, that means God, my family, and friends.

🎈Working out daily…5 days a week.  Physical activity not only benefits me, but those around me.  I am more present, refreshed, and energized after working out.  Plus, pre-menopausal pounds are slowing trying to pack on…and I refuse to lose that battle.

🎈Planning special days each month where we spend time as a family . It could be a game night or  hike. Nothing fancy and certainly no technology.  This is something we do…but not consistently.

🎈Making sure to spend 1:1 time with each person of my family.  I love date nights with each of the members of my family!

🎈Getting enough sleep. Who am I fooling? I need 8 hours minimum.

🎈Learning to let things go.  It is OK that my house isn’t perfect and tidy each day.  It is fine if dinner isn’t picture perfect.  At the end of the day, it is all about balance.

Maybe being more mindful and taking these small steps will help slow things down. Life is too precious not to try😘😘