I aim for one meaningful connection with my child each day. Yep, just one.
This might sound ridiculous. Isn’t my role as a stay-at-home mom to make meaningful connections with my child all day long? Well, maybe some stay-at-home parents are able to be present all day and that’s great. But, for me, it feels like I am constantly multi-tasking and being pulled in all directions. If I’m sitting and playing Legos with my daughter, I might be mentally forming my grocery list. While I’m watching her ride her bicycle, maybe I am thinking about what I’ll post on Instagram tomorrow. I’ve found that setting the goal of just ONE simple yet genuine connection often leads to another connection and then another. You can call it mindfulness. You can call it paying better attention to your child. Yes, I “pay attention” to my child all day, but really being there and fully listening to her wants/needs helps me feel like I am being the type of parent I want to be.
Some easy ways to help forge this connection:
- Read a book together
- Do an easy, simple craft together
- Eat a meal together with no phones or iPads and think of a few questions beforehand to ask your child to get the conversation going
- Get outside and run around. Recently, my daughter and I have been playing catch together. It almost always ends in us laughing hysterically!
Some easy, simple ways I fill that “me” time:
- A short morning meditation
- Running a hot bath in the evening with epsom salt and lavender essential oil
- Doing a little online shopping for myself
- Stretching
- Treating myself to a quiet breakfast
- A 20 minute workout
I say “yes” to at least one thing I want to say “no” to on a daily basis.
“Mommy, can I get the paints out?” (But she will make a mess.)
“Mommy, can I watch Moana?” (For the fiftieth time.)
“Mommy, can I help make the pizza?” (But it will take soooo much longer.)
I find myself saying “no” and “hold on a minute, honey” a lot when I’m stressed out or preoccupied with something. I have made it common practice to say yes a bit more lately, and nothing beats the smile on my daughter’s face when I tell her we can make pancakes together or snuggle up and watch five more minutes of her favorite movie. It may inconvenience me in the short run, but I don’t want to be that parent that is constantly saying “no”.
Anyone reading along, feel free to add to this list!
Logan Cantrell
I like that you say yes a little more, and take time for yourself in the mornings and evenings. I am good about doing it in the evening, but have struggled to start my mornings before my babies.
thelessthandomesticgoddess
Sometimes I just can't wake up early…I'm SO tired! But, I find I am much more grounded when I have my quiet morning alone time. It's hard though!!
TaKenya Hampton
I feel like I would write this because this is exactly me!
thelessthandomesticgoddess
Thank you, TaKenya! Great minds… 🙂 xo
Bailey Suzio
I love this <3 We talk so much about self-care but we need to remember to give and say "yes" when we want to say no.
thelessthandomesticgoddess
Thank you, Bailey! Sometimes I find myself saying no a lot, but I feel a lot better when I remember to say yes! xo
The Pale Wisconsinite
I struggle so, so much with the first one. That ever-present phone really screws with me. But I've been trying to take time to just drink my girl in. Her little hands, her soft skin, her babbles. It makes me more patient with her difficult moods.