I'd like to start a new little series on here that I'm going to run on Thursdays called Peaceful Parenting. This is ironic because I'm usually the opposite of peaceful. Man, it's a word that I love and it's one of my top 3 favorite feelings, but sadly it's probably not the word that you would use to describe me. And that's always bugged me, but I'm entering a realm of parenting with this adoption stuff that requires me to calm down and chill out. Easier said than done, right? Adopted kids need a high level of predictability and peace in the home to function at their highest. They may have been abused or threatened in their past and obviously a screechy spazzy moody mom is not going to foster a safe feeling, right? I know we're not all adoptive moms on this blog, but most of us are moms. And mamas, guess who else thrives on predictability and peace? You. Your kids (adopted or natural). Your husband. My family is thriving as I'm trying to embrace some of these principles. So join me and let's all just chill out.
I have found that the most helpful thing that I can do for myself is to PLAN ahead and predict everybody's needs. And do as much as I can when I have energy and time, not necessarily when it's normally done. For example, mornings are usually chaos, but we can predict what needs to be done in the morning and do it beforehand. Like breakfast. Obviously the little tikes are going to need breakfast. If I make breakfast ahead of time, that's one thing off my gigantic morning to-do. Here's a few ideas.
Breakfast parfaits in mason jars. I love anything in mason jars.
Make ahead breakfast burritos.
Make ahead muffin melts.
I'd say the morning sort of sets the tone for the day so starting it right is important. Nothing feels worse than feeling behind before you even get started! Of course, there's more to the morning than breakfast and we'll chat a little more about that next week. Do any of you have any fabulous morning tips?
I love this idea for your series! I am not a morning person. It takes me a long time to wake up. But if I can manage to get up and dressed and at least make the bed and preferably read my scriptures before my kids get up.... the day goes much, MUCH more smoothly.
ReplyDeleteI find that laying the kids clothes out the night before helps alot. We don't argue about it in the morning and it saves time too. Especially if you have a pre-teen. Making their lunch the night before is also a time saver. That way if you don't have something you need, you at least find out while you have time to do something about it.
ReplyDeleteEach of our guys has a 'Morning Drawer', which they have to fill the night before with an outfit (or at least most of the essentials). That way, everone who is able to dress himself has no excuse!
ReplyDeleteWe started doing this on Saturday nights, to remove as many 'stumbling blocks' on the path to church as we could. Have you ever noticed how easily you can be convinced to skip a Sunday? Or two?! And this is coming from a preacher's kid who grew up and knowingly became a minister's wife!
Anyway, it made such an improvement on Sundays that we do it every day. No more screaming, "Mom, I only have one sock...and its an extra-long soccer uniform sock...and it's Orange!"
I'm right there with you on striving to be peaceful. That's not the only thing I would like to be known as either, but we'll save that for another post. I'm one of those tunnel vision mama's that thrives on routine, who gets a little 'spazzy' when someone small throws a kink into it. In theory, I would get up before our youngest one to have some quiet time with God, however, I don't function too well at 5:00 a.m. So, at 7 a.m. we all get some Jesus over waffles and yogurt. We use a devotional for girls only, since we dominate the homestead. And, we don't skip this, EVER. We close with discussion and prayer, and I gotta say, when you have empties yourself out and have been refilled with the Holy Spirit, it makes for a pretty Awesome and Peaceful morning!
ReplyDeleteI will have to try the pre-made breakfast plan. Much more efficient than a made to order experience every morning, especially when everyone wants something different!
Thanks for sharing!