I’ve been told by numerous sources recently that my son desperately needs some one on one mommy time. I’ve been trying to focus on that a lot this week, and I definitely a relief that he’s been acting out a little less and listening a little more. Granted, there are still plenty of those 3-year-old moments, but I feel like it’s been a lot more manageable.
Day 19:
Something I'm Thankful For: A son who is both highly energetic and loves to read. We went to his school 2-hour orientation for kids today so he could meet some of his classmates and hang out in school. The school has a terrific new library that has so many fantastic books, and he spent the first 40 minutes there. It’s a relief to know that there are (non-technological) things that can keep his entertainment and concentration going for such long periods.
Challenge O' The Day: Being a mommy and being a working woman. It was so great spending the first half of my work day seeing my son super happy in his school environment. But that meant I only had half a day to do my work, which was already floundering this week.
Lesson Learned: When I got married at 25, I was once told “But I thought you were a career-oriented person”. When I was pregnant with my oldest, I was once told “So, I guess your life is now over”. Every time I choose my family over my work, these comments and others pop into my head. But one of the joys of parenthood is getting to see your kids thrive. By making sure that I spent time with my son at his school, I can now be extra confident that he will be having an awesome year, and he is now excited for the school year as well. I also had two play dates lined up for him after school, and he totally listened to me to the point that I asked hubby to pick up his favorite food for him for dinner (sushi). Through all the stress, it’s so nice having one victory, and while I’m sure tomorrow will be very different, today was a parenting win. And I’m learning to make that a priority.
Daily Insight: Every day is a balancing battle for me, but I today for a brief moment I felt like the best parent, without the guilt. While I’ll miss sleeping in (which I got to do when my mom was in town), I think my kids are happy to have their mom time first thing in the morning and their routine back. It’s nice to be loved by your kids, and to realize how important you really are to them. So today, Motherhood wins with a knockout punch!