so, i have approximately 99 million parenting questions per hour, i feel like. i mean, am i doing this right? or am i screwing everybody up?!? please tell me i’m not screwing everybody up already! and like, i’m tired! and people want stuff from me! and when do moms do things? when am i supposed to do the laundry and the dinner and the shopping and play with the kids because i’m fun mom and then also mrs. social butterfly, because oh my kids are so socialized, look at their socialization!
okay, but hey! there’s nothing like experience to give you a few handy lessons to remember! i know that i lose my patience far too often when i’m worn out, and i am just pa-raaaaying that my little ones forgive and forget those moments. but also, i know a few things now that help me, as a human, to be a better brittany! which is important so i can be a better everything else! because life with my babies is so beautiful! all i truly want to do is keep it that way. <3 sooo…
put your face on!
i’ve always loved makeup, but honestly, on most days i don’t really wear any! it’s not always practical if you’re busy with the bunnies and at home getting housey things done, right? it’s just not. and then you have to go and wash it off at the end of the day! but still, sometimes i’ve realized i just need to make a point of it, even if it’s just a little. it feels good to be prettied up! and the less time i spend being horrified by my reflection [read: selfie], the better. 😉
let them be little. and pick your battles!
those boots and that dress? okay, sure! you want some lip gloss? you got it! splash in a sink of water? fun! why not! room’s a mess because you’re having fun playing? THE best. clean up’s easy. that’s what baskets are for. don’t want to brush your teeth? ehh, sorry charlie! kinda important, that one! i figure if i can just let go of the unimportant potential battles, it’s just a better, more fun day! [and then there are the 3 year old just-because-i’m-testing-you-battles, and man, are they a whole new ball game!]
treat yo self! preferably with snazzy coffee
look, the reward system works, okay! i feel like we suck it up all too often because we’re practical adults and whatever… but we all have an inner toddler that just really needs that special treat for using the potty. mommies need special treats, too, sometimes, because at this point using the potty isn’t even a right! it’s like… AN HONOR. so, really. special treat yo self. IT HELPS!
give yourself a break. no, make yourself take a break!
i’ve said it before: i’m a recovering perfectionist! i can’t imagine ever being bored because even without kids, the job of taking care of a house is never, ever done. in my opinion. i mean, i can burn out. i can get in a rut! but there’s always something to tackle. now, i have come a looooong way in my expectations of household order [aka. extremely lowered standards!], but still… i will make myself absolutely crazy chasing the endless laundry, messes, dishes, sloppy throw pillows, chairs pulled out, la la la. like, it literally never ends and it can absorb you. so, some days you tackle it. some days just LEAVE THE HOUSE! leave! go! go somewhere! are the kids dressed? who even cares! there’s probably something in your mary poppins bag of tricks they can put on! just evacuate! go make a mess at someone else’s house, even, and then go crazy at yours upon return. 🙂 but in a more refreshed, sane and patient way!
…and these reminders? well, add to these big ones a few like… snuggle an animal, stay up late like once a week, embrace messy hair [praise hands!!], have lots of plants and flowers, and oh, drink your wine befoooore dinner [if it gets too late it makes me so tired!], go outside, follow people you relate to that also inspire you on social media… and a few others… and i guess that’s a little of how i try to feed my inner brittany! 🙂
happy mama tips to share, please and thank you? leave ’em if you got ’em!
oh this hit home for me today Brittany! Very well written! And while these are not words of my own, a friend of mine shared this blog post recently and it just made me tear up. So relatable and great advice for those moments we lose out patience or get really upset.
http://www.newsner.com/en/2016/02/this-mothers-soothing-reaction-to-her-sons-fit-of-rage-can-teach-us-all-a-lesson-in-parenting/
thank you for sharing this!!
Gosh if I had an answer for the whole lose patience thing I could write a book! I too embrace the wine…. And the picking your battles… Which sometimes is still hard for me. I never have a day with no makeup unless I'm sick because yes. And I guess my biggest thing to make days more enjoyable is organization in every way. I try to have the kid's clothes out for the next day… Letty's lunch packed the night before… Etc. I don't need more stress in the morning. I need calm. And you got this, you know. You amazing mama you.
gosh yes, if only we had the answers!! and picking battles is always hard for me, too. for real. and iiii totally agree, preparation is key! you are a total supermom!
Yes yes yes!! So true and necessary to keep sanity, and happy mommas equal happy babies. I think there's nothing better you can do for your babies than taking care of yourself the best you can. Cheers to being a great mom! (I'm looking at you)
thank you sooo much!!! yes, it's soo totally important to remember that happy mom = happy baby!!
These are so great! 1. That's what baskets are for. The baskets! Before #2 I actually tried to organize toys. No more! Ha! They are all quickly put away in baskets and I am much saner mama! 2. Get out of the house! 3. Drink wine before dinner:) For sure! My favorite time is during "happy hour" til daddy gets home. and 4. Follow people that inspire you on social media… like yourself 😉 I adore your blog! And words. Thank you!
aw you are sweet girly!!