Becoming a Better Mother: Lighten Up!
Image by Horton Group
Image by With today’s topic, I have my finger pointed sharply at myself. I am way too serious for my own good!
Not always, but being serious is my natural disposition 🙂 As I said before, I’ve worn the furrowed brow far too often.
Let’s face it: there are many reasons to feel serious about motherhood. After all, it is a sobering responsibility to raise children. The consequences of our actions are far reaching…even into eternity. And we need to take our roles seriously. That’s why I’m writing this series!
Moms matter.
A lot.
What we do makes a difference. . .both good and bad.
Our attitudes affect the entire family. I'll admit that my attitude often needs an adjustment.
It’s easy to get frustrated when we find ourselves cleaning messes for the hundredth time today, or feel defeated because we have not been able to make a dent in our to-do list.
How often do we find ourselves neglecting the opportunity to snuggle up on the couch and read a story to the children, in favor of getting one more thing accomplished? Or reacting harshly to childish behavior because we are trying so hard…being so serious!?
I have done (and still do) all of the above.
But…
Image by Horton Group
Lately I am making more of an effort to be careful in the way I respond. To choose to laugh or say something lighthearted when I really want to say, “Not again?” or “Why would you do something like that?!!!”
I’ve noticed that it makes a real difference in my relationship with the kids and the overall tone of our home.
In addition to this, it is also a worthy investment to take time to play with our children. To be silly, laugh and have fun together.
Some of my mother’s goofy moments are still fresh in my mind. They have stuck with me and still make me laugh to this day. It’s good to be funny. Hey, just yesterday I tapped danced around the living room. The kids loved it. That's something they can giggle about in years to come.
This week let’s make an effort to drop some of our seriousness out the window, to relax a little and have some fun. Rely on God and let your frustrations rest in His capable hands.
This is something that I’m really working on. I too have the serious side and need to lighten up. Our time with these little guys will go by in the blink of an eye. I don’t want regrets. Thank you for this pep talk. I’m going to make my husband read it and hang it on our refrig as a daily reminder.
Thank you for your lovely comment. I am with you! I don’t want regrets either. Sometimes it’s hard for us serious types. I’m encouraged to hear you are working on this too 🙂
Sometimes, I find myself fallen into that pit of over seriousness — like all of adultness has sucked me into itself and I just cannot seem to find a giggle to save my life. But then one of the boys does something hilarious, and I have to tell myself — laugh! It’s funny.
Because you’re so right; our moods set the tone, the mood for our house and our children and life in general. Great thoughts!
I love the way you described this Hyacynth. It is so funny when we can see that we really should laugh…
A few times I have decided to laugh a bunch when one of my kids is acting up . . . they don’t know what to make of it at all! But some of their misbehavior is just ridiculous (and funny)!