Tonight my husband took our three older boys (ages 12 ,10 and 6) to a scout camp-out. So, it was just me and my little ones (ages 3 and 1) tonight.
After we got the older boys and Daddy off, we made our way to Target to buy some play-doh as a reward for success in potty training. On the way, we were talking, and I asked if I could play with it. She said in her most enthusiastic three-year-old voice, “YES! You-me are buddies!” It was so darn cute that is completely melted my heart. We proceeded to play play-doh for quite a while.
I normally do not enjoy playing with play-doh, but tonight was an exception. Fortunately, my one-year-old was content in his high chair for a bit to allow this.
When the baby got restless, I got him out and played on the floor with him. Is he ever cute! He wiggled away from me several times when trying to change his diaper and get pajamas on. He has now learned that when I say, “I’m gonna get you!” it’s a game and he will crawl away from me. Most of the time he stops and looks back because he wants me to get him. This is when the fun begins with tickling, raspberries on the tummy and silly songs.
It was such a fun night with my two little ones. I am so grateful for these moments to create memories not just for them, but for me as well. Sometimes, I have to admit that these moments are more for me. They fill my “mommy bucket” so that on hard days there is more to draw from when it gets drained a bit.
Those hard days come more often than I like to admit. When those days happen I find I have to summon up my will to enjoy time with my kids. I don’t love to get down on the floor and play pretend or dream up fun creative projects. (I am seriously creatively challenged!) But, I do love to read books to them, snuggle, tickle, rough house a bit, play games and go to the park. Here are a few ideas of things to “fill your bucket” that have helped me when I was having a difficult day:
Realize that most of the time, it isn’t about you, it is about them. I find that if I will give my children my undivided attention for a period of time (sometimes its 30 minutes, sometimes its 2 hours) and do what they want to they are much more inclined to let me do what I need get done later.
Engage them in doing something you enjoy as well. When I simply cannot think of playing dolls or dealing with the play-doh mess for one more second, I head outside. I enjoy being outdoors, so I put my two little ones in the jogger and go for a nice long walk. We talk about what they see, bring along snacks and often end up at the park. It is the perfect combination of doing something I enjoy with something they love as well.
Do something for yourself which includes some adult conversation. Invite another mom and kids over to play, or meet someone at the park for a pla ydate. Go on a date with your spouse or escape for an hour without kids to wander through the aisles of Target. Talking with another adult helps you feel rejuvenated from being with little ones all day!
Watch them sleep and/or listen to them pray. This is my magic cure for a case of the “Mommy blues”. It always works.
Write down the cute things they say in a journal or on a blog. This helps me to go back and see the funny and cute things that have happened. I also put cute pictures on my fridge of fun things we have done together.
I love my job as a mother and the “bonuses” that come with it, and I use these special bonuses to fill my own mommy bucket. I am grateful that my bonus today was to be “buddies” with my sweet girl. I must be doing just enough right as a Mommy for her to consider this special title. I hope that I will always have it.
QUESTION: What do you do to fill your own “Mommy buckets”?
CHALLENGE: Next time you find yourself having a bad day as a mother, try to pull something new from your bucket that will bring a different light to a difficult situation.