Sometimes You Have to Call It.

I watched my oldest daughter try her tuck again and again. Falling on her knees over and over. She wants it so bad. She wants it in time for try outs. It kept getting worse and she got more and more frustrated.

Finally as her mother I had to stop her. I knew how bad she wanted it. She had been there working on her own for an extra half hour past privates. I also knew what she was blinded to in that moment. Sometimes you can work and work and get nowhere. Sometimes you have to walk away and leave it for another day. I walked over to my frustrated girl and told her" sweetheart I'm going to have to call it on this one. I know how bad you want to get it but your mind isn't in the right place and it is making your body follow. Let's let it go for today and work on it again next time." I could see she was disappointed but she agreed.

My oldest girl is so much like her mother. She thinks if she doesn't get something it is because she isn't working hard enough. She puts loads of pressure on herself. As her mother it is my job to protect her.

When your child is trying so hard and not getting what she wants it is heartbreaking. However, if we let them keep going we are doing them a disservice. It is our job to teach them balance. I want her to know that perfection isn't the goal. Progress is the goal. I want her to know that her worth isn't based on her tumbling skills. 

Then I told her what I feel was the most important thing. I told her that I was so proud of her. I was so proud of her for working so hard. I was so proud of her for being so driven and for not giving up. 

Don't let your child get over frustrated. Don't let them think their worth is based on their tumbling. My goal in my life is to be my children's biggest fan. To give them every opportunity to be their best. I don't live through my children however. I do my best not to let what I want them to be get in the way of who they are. 

Don't be afraid as a mom to tell your child it's time to walk away. They need your guidance because no one loves them more than you.

Cheers, 

Fallapartitude

Like my title? It came from Doc McStuffins. Lol I tend to have fallapartitude. I don't do anything small. I wait till I get super overwhelmed and then I freak out and fall apart. Then I throw up my hands and quit? Does anyone know me else have this problem or is it just me? I need to start eating the elephant one bite at a time and stop trying to shove the whole thing in my mouth at once. Lol

When i woke up this morning I had a major melt down. I screamed in my head. Why can't I keep my house clean? I am a terrible mother. Why does everyone else seem to have this all figured out. Oh and tip don't search overwhelmed by housework on Pinterest. It isn't really helpful. Lol So here is what I have realized.

1.  Find what works for you and do it. There is no cookie cutter way to be a good housewife. Everyone is at different stages with different challenges. I babysit a 2 year old. He fills my day. It's hard to clean with a two year old. This is a challenge. I also have two girls in competition cheer. My evenings Monday through Friday are spent at the cheer gym. That is a challenge.

2. Make a schedule. Don't be super rigid. Just an overall goal. It helps. As a stay at home mom I get lazy. I think to myself that I have all day to complete a task. I tend to sit and cuddle with the two year old and put off tasks.

Oh and build cuddle time and down time into your schedule.  You aren't a machine.

3. Use a calendar. My schedule is so chaotic I can't live without my calendar. Check it each morning and each evening and don't say yes to anything until you check your calendar. Also make sure you give yourself days off. Make sure you have a day with nowhere you have to be once in awhile. I tend to over schedule because I hate to say no. However, if I don't have a down day now and then I will get overwhelmed and fallapartitude rears its ugly head.

4. Keep it simple. I love all of the cool ideas on Pinterest but I can't do everything. Most people don't really care that much how fancy you wrap something or how cool your item for the gift bags are. They are just happy you did something. Use your talents and be yourself. 

5 . Know your limits. Don't try to be anyone but you. I will never be the mom with perfect hair and makeup and jewelry. I have my own gifts. I am the Mom who will make you laugh with tales of her chaos.  

6. Life is short. Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much.  Children grow up fast. They will remember the moments you spent with them and laughter way more than how fancy your crafting was or how awesome you cleaning is. I was at the cheer gym and this sweet little six year old asked me what I was doing. I said I was reading a book on how to keep my house clean. She said"  Why are you doing that? Our house is messy and I love it!" Keep this in mind. My motto is I want my house clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy. 

So there are my tips for avoiding fallapartitude. 

Cheers,