The other day my family and I were laughing at the dinner table until we cried. Why, you may ask? Because I found in our old family journals a copy of my two-year-old son’s “schedule” for when we went on an overnighter.
The schedule is five pages long. It includes, but is not limited to, entire PARAGRAPHS on breakfast, bath, dressing, playtime, Fun Box (a third of a page on this one), songs, Legos, puzzles, books, wrestling, walk/play outside, TV, and that is all before 11 a.m.
The apex of our hilarity came with the “Discipline” notes, three paragraphs long with instructions like this:
“When he does a ‘No,’ [previously described in a preceding paragraph], first warn him. Say, ‘That is a No. You’re a big boy and you know to do better.
Second time, say ‘That is a No. Do you need a time-out?
Third time, say ‘That is a No. I have a warned you. Go to your room please. Usually he will go, if not, take him there. He will start crying already but it usually a forced fake one. Ask him to sit on his bed. Listen for him playing with toys—if so, go in and firmly explain it is a time-out and to go back on his bed.”
I thoroughly pity the babysitter. I’m not sure who she was, but I’m fairly sure she fled, without the five-page schedule, after the first weekend experience.
Which brings me to my point. Well, a few. First, in my defense of overwhelming instructions I will say that he was my first child, and he had Asperger’s Syndrome, so a good portion of the detail was actually necessary (ish). But the rest was just Uber Me.
And second: I LOVE BEING A MOTHER OF SEVEN CHILDREN. The learning, loving, and wisdom (ish) that are entrenched in that one statement is so beautifully liberating. No more do I stress over wall marks, fussy responses, or picky eating. I know that if my caboose baby will not eat the food before him, he will simply eat at a different meal (even if it’s two days later). As my pediatrician said, Do nutrition by the week.
A truer statement has never been spoken.
I love “growing up” as a mother, knowing what to be worried about and what to let go. And though I don’t have it down pat (you would THINK by number seven you’d have it all figured out) I’m more easygoing in the process.
So enjoy your growth timeline as a mother. If you’re a first-time Mom who rinses of the pacifier when it falls, rejoice in it. If you’re a third-time Mom and wonder if your sanity will return, keep searching for it (it’s there…somewhere…) And if you’re an empty-nester who can now impart pearls of great price to us younger mothers, impart it, happily. After all, you won’t be changing the actual diapers.
I experienced a moment to celebrate my own growth timeline. This past weekend my husband and I went on a anniversary overnighter, which meant I needed to leave the Dreaded Schedule. But this time, it simply consisted of two sticky notes: one with the schedule and one with the chores. True, most of the children are older, but even with that and a baby, I felt a nod to my progressing motherhood maturity.
Perhaps I’ve grown up just a bit after all.
Best,
Connie
P.S. Enjoy the “Balancing Motherhood” podcast—30 minutes of tips to get balanced and be happier in motherhood. On sale for only $1.95 (reg. $9.95) CLICK HERE
P.P.S. If you missed my KSL segment/Motherhood Matters blog post on “Connecting with Other Women”, you can view or read them here! CLICK HERE
My friend and fabulous New York Time’s Bestselling author Jennifer Nielsen is launching her last book in her award-winning (and fabulous reading) Ascendance Trilogy, “The Shadow Throne” Tuesday, Feb. 25th!
I’m thrilled for her as this series is absolute reading magic–my teenage son and I have both devoured the two books and can’t wait to read this final installment.
If you’re out and about, enjoy meeting this down-to-earth and easy-to-connect-with author at The King’s English bookstore.
Enjoy!
Connie
What: “The Shadow Throne” book launch and book signing
When: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
Where: The King’s English, 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City
Web: kingsenglish.com, jenniel
Note: Places in the signing line are reserved for those who purchase a copy of the featured book from The King’s English.
