Football season is here, and it seems we are all on the edge of our seats waiting to see who will make it to the Superbowl, and will the Superbowl need to be postponed due to weather??? The NFL was actually talking about a postponement plan in the event of inclimate weather. For some this would be unheard of, almost un-American! :-) Me, I am excited to see who makes it to the big game, and who wins...that's about it.
I am not writing to post about football, I am actually writing about postponement, and a self-timeout. After a lunch date, and shopping today Natalie had just had it with being out and busy...she was ready to be home. I sat down to feed her once we were home, and hopefully lay her down for a much needed little nap. She did indeed fall fast asleep in my arms, and about half-way through her bottle. I was busy still in my own mind, thinking of how I would lay her down, get on to the laundry, putting away things around the house, and changing the linens on the beds. This type of 'what will I do next' 'what will I check of the list...' mentality is so typical for me, and many Mom's I am sure. I looked down at Natalie, ready to lay her in her little crib, and I realized...I never hold her while she sleeps. I never stop to sit with her in my arms, and let her sleep. (That might sound cold-hearted, but I really am not. I sneak into her room many times and watch her sleep...but, sitting, doing nothing at all, just soaking in the moment...I NEVER do that.)
I am a very goal oriented person, I like to get things done, and I like knowing that I am on top of everything that needs to be accomplished. You could say I have more than a touch of OCD, and be 100% correct. I am always finishing a task, and on to something else.
In fact, this past year will be my first chance to be a stay-at-home-mom...my husband and I joked about me sitting on the sofa, eating bon bon's, not getting out of my PJ's all day. I did think to myself when we were planning the transition to me staying home, I might get more ME time, I might get some down time. I work harder now than I ever have at a “paying” job. I rarely sit down until after dinner is complete,and Rob is often telling me “do nothing today," as he leaves the house.
So, in my thoughts, before laying Natalie down...planning what I would accomplish while she napped it occurred to me the importance of stopping, postponing the laundry, and really enjoying the moment, my moment, holding my baby daughter. I sat and watched Natalie nap for what turned into 20 minutes, and realized that my family needs me to postpone, and take a timeout. This can happen, and I can improve this on so many levels. My little Aiden is frequently heard saying, “Mom, snuggle with me..” and my response (not all of the time, but, the majority) is... “I will in a bit..right now I need to___” do the laundry, make the beds, make dinner, etc etc etc. Everything I just listed, and much much more can all wait. My children will only be this age, at this stage, and in our home for so long. Looking back, after they are older do I want to remember a sparking mudroom, a laundry free basket, always fresh linens? Well, a part of me says I do...but, more than those things..I want to remember my son's sweetness when we snuggle and watch a movie, or his laugh when we run through the house playing tickle-monster. I want to recall how peaceful Natalie is when she sleeps, and her little giggles. I could take it a step farther, which I need to...and say that I am guilty of this with my husband as well. Talk about embarrassment. I am guilty of a very quick unemotional kiss in the morning, and an absently spoken “love you, see ya later”...thinking about cleaning up the kitchen after breakfast.
We have so many wonderful moments as a family, and I could be adding many many more to them if I would stop, and take a timeout for my family. Dishes will still be there, laundry will pile up, and bed linens do not always have to smell like lavender. My family needs me, they need me to be present in their moments...because it is our moments that really matter.
I am not writing to post about football, I am actually writing about postponement, and a self-timeout. After a lunch date, and shopping today Natalie had just had it with being out and busy...she was ready to be home. I sat down to feed her once we were home, and hopefully lay her down for a much needed little nap. She did indeed fall fast asleep in my arms, and about half-way through her bottle. I was busy still in my own mind, thinking of how I would lay her down, get on to the laundry, putting away things around the house, and changing the linens on the beds. This type of 'what will I do next' 'what will I check of the list...' mentality is so typical for me, and many Mom's I am sure. I looked down at Natalie, ready to lay her in her little crib, and I realized...I never hold her while she sleeps. I never stop to sit with her in my arms, and let her sleep. (That might sound cold-hearted, but I really am not. I sneak into her room many times and watch her sleep...but, sitting, doing nothing at all, just soaking in the moment...I NEVER do that.)
I am a very goal oriented person, I like to get things done, and I like knowing that I am on top of everything that needs to be accomplished. You could say I have more than a touch of OCD, and be 100% correct. I am always finishing a task, and on to something else.
In fact, this past year will be my first chance to be a stay-at-home-mom...my husband and I joked about me sitting on the sofa, eating bon bon's, not getting out of my PJ's all day. I did think to myself when we were planning the transition to me staying home, I might get more ME time, I might get some down time. I work harder now than I ever have at a “paying” job. I rarely sit down until after dinner is complete,and Rob is often telling me “do nothing today," as he leaves the house.
So, in my thoughts, before laying Natalie down...planning what I would accomplish while she napped it occurred to me the importance of stopping, postponing the laundry, and really enjoying the moment, my moment, holding my baby daughter. I sat and watched Natalie nap for what turned into 20 minutes, and realized that my family needs me to postpone, and take a timeout. This can happen, and I can improve this on so many levels. My little Aiden is frequently heard saying, “Mom, snuggle with me..” and my response (not all of the time, but, the majority) is... “I will in a bit..right now I need to___” do the laundry, make the beds, make dinner, etc etc etc. Everything I just listed, and much much more can all wait. My children will only be this age, at this stage, and in our home for so long. Looking back, after they are older do I want to remember a sparking mudroom, a laundry free basket, always fresh linens? Well, a part of me says I do...but, more than those things..I want to remember my son's sweetness when we snuggle and watch a movie, or his laugh when we run through the house playing tickle-monster. I want to recall how peaceful Natalie is when she sleeps, and her little giggles. I could take it a step farther, which I need to...and say that I am guilty of this with my husband as well. Talk about embarrassment. I am guilty of a very quick unemotional kiss in the morning, and an absently spoken “love you, see ya later”...thinking about cleaning up the kitchen after breakfast.
We have so many wonderful moments as a family, and I could be adding many many more to them if I would stop, and take a timeout for my family. Dishes will still be there, laundry will pile up, and bed linens do not always have to smell like lavender. My family needs me, they need me to be present in their moments...because it is our moments that really matter.