Be Brave
Mornings are rough. They usually involve more yelling than I am proud of. However, this is something that I have promised myself to work on in the New Year. I am taking the whole "no matter what happens, it is only as bad as I make it" approach. Positivity can make a difference in how you look at things, right?
Well, this morning was not great. I overslept. Did not hear any of my three alarms. Emma, my wonderful 12 year old, woke me up about 15 minutes later than I usually wake up. I was immediately frantic. Then there were so many clothing fiascos that the morning was just going downhill fast. Kota (7) couldn't get his pants buttoned. Gabby's (9) pants were also too small. And for some strange reason, it was like they both forgot that yes, indeed, they do own more clothing than those pants that were too small.
Then there was breakfast. Oh Lord. Jerry and I had a whole day where we meal prepped. Specifically we made what seemed like a literal ton of breakfast foods that the kids could just grab and still eat a fairly well balanced, healthy breakfast. We made things like breakfast burritos and sausage and egg biscuits. Healthier than Poptarts for sure. Gabby microwaved Kota's sandwich and you would have thought the end of the world was near. She picked one with white cheese for him instead of yellow cheese. I assure you they do not taste that different. Nope, no convincing him that it would be okay. And still, I did not yell. I calmly explained that I would eat the evil white cheese sandwich and he could make himself a yellow cheese one. Gabby couldn't get the new jug of milk open. Y'all it was like I had taken a front seat on the struggle express.
After taking the dog out I realized that the 35 pound bag of food I bought him yesterday was still in the car. Out I went in my robe to get his food and get him fed. After putting him back in the kennel, we finally make it out the door to take them to school. Yes, I took them without brushing my hair, while still wearing a robe, praying that no one from church would see me. But, they made it on time, fully dressed in pants that fit, fed breakfast with the proper color cheese, and without being yelled at once.
Every morning as I drop them off I always say "I love you, have a good day". But, this morning as we were driving I decided that I would still tell them I love them but felt they needed to hear more than that. So I started with a list. "I love you all. And remember today to be kind, be nice, be passionate, be smart." Then Gabby says "We should also be independent." Yes, you should. Kota reminded her that there are times you have to work together and can not always be independent. So he added "Be brave". Emma thought for a bit and said "Be curious". YES! Be brave, independent, and curious. Always.
This was our first rough morning since I have made a promise to myself to be in control of my emotions and not simply yell at them and really it did make a difference. We may have forgotten a lunch box at home that I had to run down at lunch time. But these kids walked into that school this morning knowing they are loved, curious, independent, and brave. I'm not perfect. I am not the perfect pastor, or wife, or daughter, and surely not a perfect mother. But, the affirmations instead of the yelling made a huge difference in how all of us handled everything that has come the rest of the day. From a forgotten lunch box, to friends that you thought were closer to you than they are, to the threat of a gun at school...be independent, be curious, be brave.
Well, this morning was not great. I overslept. Did not hear any of my three alarms. Emma, my wonderful 12 year old, woke me up about 15 minutes later than I usually wake up. I was immediately frantic. Then there were so many clothing fiascos that the morning was just going downhill fast. Kota (7) couldn't get his pants buttoned. Gabby's (9) pants were also too small. And for some strange reason, it was like they both forgot that yes, indeed, they do own more clothing than those pants that were too small.
Then there was breakfast. Oh Lord. Jerry and I had a whole day where we meal prepped. Specifically we made what seemed like a literal ton of breakfast foods that the kids could just grab and still eat a fairly well balanced, healthy breakfast. We made things like breakfast burritos and sausage and egg biscuits. Healthier than Poptarts for sure. Gabby microwaved Kota's sandwich and you would have thought the end of the world was near. She picked one with white cheese for him instead of yellow cheese. I assure you they do not taste that different. Nope, no convincing him that it would be okay. And still, I did not yell. I calmly explained that I would eat the evil white cheese sandwich and he could make himself a yellow cheese one. Gabby couldn't get the new jug of milk open. Y'all it was like I had taken a front seat on the struggle express.
After taking the dog out I realized that the 35 pound bag of food I bought him yesterday was still in the car. Out I went in my robe to get his food and get him fed. After putting him back in the kennel, we finally make it out the door to take them to school. Yes, I took them without brushing my hair, while still wearing a robe, praying that no one from church would see me. But, they made it on time, fully dressed in pants that fit, fed breakfast with the proper color cheese, and without being yelled at once.
Every morning as I drop them off I always say "I love you, have a good day". But, this morning as we were driving I decided that I would still tell them I love them but felt they needed to hear more than that. So I started with a list. "I love you all. And remember today to be kind, be nice, be passionate, be smart." Then Gabby says "We should also be independent." Yes, you should. Kota reminded her that there are times you have to work together and can not always be independent. So he added "Be brave". Emma thought for a bit and said "Be curious". YES! Be brave, independent, and curious. Always.
This was our first rough morning since I have made a promise to myself to be in control of my emotions and not simply yell at them and really it did make a difference. We may have forgotten a lunch box at home that I had to run down at lunch time. But these kids walked into that school this morning knowing they are loved, curious, independent, and brave. I'm not perfect. I am not the perfect pastor, or wife, or daughter, and surely not a perfect mother. But, the affirmations instead of the yelling made a huge difference in how all of us handled everything that has come the rest of the day. From a forgotten lunch box, to friends that you thought were closer to you than they are, to the threat of a gun at school...be independent, be curious, be brave.
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