List your criteria for a good day.
What needs to happen to wrap up the day with a smile on your face?
Let me start off by saying that being a stay-at-home mom to five young children is more akin to a carnival--or {ahem} a funny farm--than not. And some days it's a battle barely won to ward off insanity without pharmaceutical interventions, but there are a few things that I've found will help drown out the dizzying commotion of fighting siblings, crying toddlers, escaped lizards running amock, dirty bedrooms, overturned couch cushions, and the never-ending ringing in the air of, "Mooooom!"
1. My bed must be made. I've always told Jimmy that he can gauge the quality of my day by one glance in the bedroom. If the bed wasn't made that's generally a good indicator that I'll be in a rotten mood. Somehow in the course of my married years I have subconsciously tied making my bed with saying my morning prayers. As soon as I make my bed I pray beside it. So I guess it makes sense that no made bed=forgotten morning prayer=rotten day for Mommy.
2. A clean kitchen. Nothing turns my cranky odomoter up quicker than dirty dishes and a messy floor. Though not among my favorite things to do, the twenty minutes spent cleaning the kitchen can have positive effects that last the entire day.
3. Exercise. Sweating once a day gives me proof that although my mind may be borderline crazy, at least my heart will remain strong.
That's it. Just three criteria to make me a happy mom. It doesn't make the kids behave perfectly or resolve the squabbles that arise or even calm the tantruming toddler, but it gives me just a little more ability to handle it all.
So what about you? What are your criteria for having a good day?
4 comments:
1. When I get more than 6 hours of sleep.
2. When jeff is home to give me a small break from taking care of summer ( I know a wimp with just one)
3. Eating at least some sort of treat that day
Ooooh, I really like your list. I can't say that my bed is ever made, though (especially since we co-sleep and have naps during the day)--but I love the reason WHY a made bed is valuable to you. It's not necessarily how it looks, but how much time you've spend with the Lord. Wonderful!
I love a clean kitchen, too. And I think I've been terribly about keeping it clean. That's partially because my husband has decided that HE wants to wash all the dishes each day. So when our dishwasher died last September, HE took up all the work in that department and I have to say I kinda miss it. There's something satisfying about putting away the very last clean dish. And I like sweating, too. A good romp with the hubby makes up for any missed "traditional" exercise, though. LOL Please don't delete my comment. Sex isn't a crime, right?
:wink:
~Shaye
By the way, have I told you lately that I love your blog. I love the things you write about--I'm glad that you use both inspiration and prompts to write whenever and wherever. It's all good. :)
...And usually ends with the bedroom door locked....
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