A few weeks ago I wrote about why it’s important to take care of ourselves if we want to make changes in the way we parent (something I have to remind myself of every single day).
I shared some of the ways I do this in a recent guest post over at Motherhood the Real Deal. Would you like to read it?
5 Keys to Staying Sane as a Mum to Sensitive Spirited Kids
Being a mum to sensitive, intense or spirited children is a bit like regular parenting, but with everything that normally happens in a month squeezed into a day. With a few extras thrown in, like meltdowns that don’t stop at toddlerhood but continue into the teens, and having to explain your child’s behaviour to every disapproving adult he meets.
You know those days when you bounce out of bed, full of good intentions?
“Today I’m going to allow plenty of time to get out of the house!”
“I’m going to be so patient today!”
Even (on really good days), “Today’s the day I’m going to say ‘yes!’ to finger-painting, play dough and hide-and-seek!”
… continue reading 5 Keys to Staying Sane as a Mum to Sensitive, Spirited Kids over at Motherhood the Real Deal.
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What helps you recharge so you have more energy to be the kind of parent you choose to be?
How have you been kind to yourself today?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments or over on the Laugh, Love, Learn Facebook page. 🙂
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I’ll be back next week talking about what birthdays are like in an OE household. (You’ll like it if you liked my OE Families on Vacation post.)
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I commented over on the full post but just in case you don’t read it I’m transplanting it here also.
Great post (of course – aren’t they all?). My favourite part is about finding your tribe. So very important 🙂
Thanks, Claire. Yes, we all need a team, don’t we? You seem to have found yours both online and in real life – well done! I hope Gary’s on the mend xxx
Yup, agree with all you’ve said in your post. Parenting such children just doesn’t get easier over time; the same goes for acceptance and finding your tribe. 🙂
Thank you, Hwee! How are you? I’ve been thinking of you and Tiger a lot since we spoke. I hope things are working out the way you wanted. 🙂
I hope you’re enjoying sunshine in Spain! The weather has been barmy in the UK, so you’re very lucky to be avoiding it. 🙂
Things are still in limbo around here, but it’s not yet clear how exactly things will change, so that’s causing me some stress. I’ve been trying to stay calm and collected through this season of change. 🙂 Funnily enough, I’ve been thinking about you and your daily meditation practice. I think I desperately need to “keep calm and carry on”!
Hope you’re all having a wonderful time in Spain!
Hwee, I can imagine not knowing what’s happening is stressful. I’m not good with uncertainty either. Meditation definitely helps me – I hope you find your thing, too. 🙂 I’ll keep crossing my fingers things sort themselves out in the best possible way for your family.
The weather in Spain has swapped with the UK, I think. It’s cool, windy and showery here, but we’re trying not to let that spoil our fun. And Cordie is really enjoying her Spanish course!
Dear Lucinda,
You always write the best advice right when I need it. I have been working on taking better care of myself. Your 5 keys are going to help me tremendously. I love how you brought up the oxygen mask rule. It totally work for me!
What things help you have a better day (even if you don’t feel like doing them)?
going outside, going to sleep earlier, drinking more water.
What’s your favorite way to recharge?
Play with the kids (even if all I do is sort Legos by color), read stories to them, participate in the homeschooling moms book club.
How are you kind to yourself? I need to work on this.
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Hi Silvana, Thank you for your kind words about my post! I’m copying your comment and my reply over here so you don’t miss it.
Going to sleep earlier – me too!. We’re in Spain at the moment and I’ve been tired all day today because I stayed up last night to have some introverting time when the rest of my family had gone to bed. I need to find the balance there. 😉
I love sorting Legos alongside my son, too. And reading aloud is such a lovely way to recharge, isn’t it?