I love the focus on gratitude during Thanksgiving week. For me, it is a wonderful reminder to be mindful. Being grateful means pausing and really noticing: what do I appreciate right now? To do that, I have to actually slow down and get present.
The past few days, I have been stuck in the “grump rut”. Perhaps you are nodding your head right now because that is a familiar territory for you. I regularly feel frustration and irritation with my toddler as he learns (key point to remember) to communicate his needs and feelings, often in ways that are very challenging for me.
Sometimes I catch myself expecting him to act like a little grown-up. Shouldn’t he know how to ask respectfully for what he wants? Can’t he learn to wait when I am busy? And why the heck does he wake up so early anyway?
Then I remind myself, he isn’t even 3 years old yet! His little brain and body are still developing (not done till mid 20s actually). He can’t control his emotions (nor would I want him to do so). It is my job to care for him, be his guide and model respectful behavior, starting with the way I respond to him.
This week, I am starting an “appreciation practice”. For a few minutes every day, I am going to slow down, pay attention to him consciously and think about all the things I notice and appreciate about him. I think I will do it with my husband and dog as well.
When I do this, it shifts me right out of grumpy, busy mama mode and into mindfulness and inner calm. There is so much to appreciate! When I get frustrated, I just forget…
Want to try it?
Good thoughts, Savvy! Very biblical (I Thess. 5:18), actually. It’s so easy to get bogged down and forget to be thankful for all of our many blessings, including these treasures we have been entrusted with! Hugs!
Hello, it reminds me one of the rules of “8 Steps To Connected Parenting” that says: Care for yourself first…
It sounds horrible, but what that really means makes sense. A parent coach, Shelly Birger, explains that we should follow the “airplane oxygen mask” rule. It’s hard to imagine that it’s going to build “connected parenting” but the bases of that is if you don’t have your needs met, there isn’t a you there to connect with your child.
If not misinterpreted – then it’s a great rule to remember – if you want to serve your child – make sure that your needs are also fulfilled to allow you to have all that patience and good mood to present to your baby constantly…
I described Shelly’s system briefly in my squidoo lenses if you want to have a look…