From a young mom:
“Basically: We’re planning a move. I’m attempting to go back to work part
time. Daddy is out of town. Mickey has graduated from pull-ups to big boy
pants (barely), and Angie has severe diaper rash. Changes = increased stress. In
my efforts to deal with all this, poor Mickey is getting even less attention,
and it is reflected in his not listening to me. My patience is short and I’m
abrupt with him - then expend energy trying to keep from beating myself up for
not being able to provide both of them with what they need/want.
On the way to school today I thought of the importance of
making a conscious decision to be pro-active in making myself happy. I
thought, “I am going to list off all the things going right and all the
positive stuff that’s working and all the things we have to be grateful for.”
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| Photo by Susan Sermoneta |
I did just that OUT LOUD, right there in the car,
over the whining and raised voices [his and mine]. That way Mickey (but more
importantly I) could hear what WAS working for us. ‘Mickey is healthy. Mommy had her coffee. Mickey had a wonderful breakfast. Mommy managed to get everyone dressed by
8. Mickey is clean and has nice clothes.
Mommy has sweet children. Mickey likes
school. Mommy found the keys. Mickey has healthy snacks from mommy. Mommy is a safe driver. Mickey,
are you happy? (“yes”) Mickey do you
love mommy? (“yes”)... then all is well!!’ And even if he hadn’t answered in the affirmative, it wouldn’t have mattered
because by now I was calm and appreciative of what was going right in my life.
This positive self-talk that I shared with little ears really
helped get me out of the cyclical funk. Mickey got to overhear the “good
news” and since I wasn’t talking directly to him, I didn’t really care if he
listened or not. But it sure helped
me. I convinced myself. And will do this
more often! At first I felt like an
idiot, but ended up feeling happy.”
If we take a big breath and give gratitude a voice, we can
drown out the garbage with the gold…change our point of view and change our
lives.
Christie Clarke
3-28-13
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