I am finding that I need to constantly adjust to my circumstances. Watching that video two posts earlier, I realized with Elder Busche's words, "Avoid rush and haste and uncontrolled words" that this is what I was needing in my own life. With Jo in our family almost three months now, I have had to adjust to the time it takes me to do things. It is when I am rushed and anxious to get something done that I lose my patience and control of my words.
Since I am most definitely outnumbered during the day while Adam is gone, I have to rely on Baylub and Lulu to do many things on their own. And those things they can't do on their own, I now have to do times three almost. I don't know if you have been around toddlers, but it takes them a LONG time to do things. They are easily distracted by every possible thing and so need constant reminding or a helping hand to get them to where they need to be.
At first, I felt frustrated by everything taking a long time. I was running late quite a bit because of it, which I don't like. Now, I have just realized that I have to adjust my time and give myself and the kids the time they need to do things on their own. And for the things that they still need my help to accomplish (ie putting on and zipping up coats) I just can't be rushed. And so, we have become a family of turtles. Slow and steady and I sure hope we win the race we are running.
It is funny to compare past habits with current ones. For example, here are some time constraints I absolutely require for the following activities:
Getting in the car- Before kids: 2 min, With kids: 20 min.
Getting ready for the day- Before kids: 30 min. With kids: they're dressed in 30 min, with me, it's another hour because of interruptions.
Getting ready for church- Before kids- 45 min., With kids: 2 hours.
Cooking dinner- Before kids- 30-45 min., With kids: add another 30 min for interruptions.
The interruptions are precious I now realize. I plan all that extra time and keep reminding myself to move at a slower pace, put projects on hold for a half hour so I can focus on more important things like my babies. Being a turtle has made my life a lot better.
(Except when I have an extra pair of hands to watch the kids or when they are asleep, then I'm a rabbit hurrying to accomplish as much as I can with the uninterrupted time that I have. That feels good too!)
Since I am most definitely outnumbered during the day while Adam is gone, I have to rely on Baylub and Lulu to do many things on their own. And those things they can't do on their own, I now have to do times three almost. I don't know if you have been around toddlers, but it takes them a LONG time to do things. They are easily distracted by every possible thing and so need constant reminding or a helping hand to get them to where they need to be.
At first, I felt frustrated by everything taking a long time. I was running late quite a bit because of it, which I don't like. Now, I have just realized that I have to adjust my time and give myself and the kids the time they need to do things on their own. And for the things that they still need my help to accomplish (ie putting on and zipping up coats) I just can't be rushed. And so, we have become a family of turtles. Slow and steady and I sure hope we win the race we are running.
It is funny to compare past habits with current ones. For example, here are some time constraints I absolutely require for the following activities:
Getting in the car- Before kids: 2 min, With kids: 20 min.
Getting ready for the day- Before kids: 30 min. With kids: they're dressed in 30 min, with me, it's another hour because of interruptions.
Getting ready for church- Before kids- 45 min., With kids: 2 hours.
Cooking dinner- Before kids- 30-45 min., With kids: add another 30 min for interruptions.
The interruptions are precious I now realize. I plan all that extra time and keep reminding myself to move at a slower pace, put projects on hold for a half hour so I can focus on more important things like my babies. Being a turtle has made my life a lot better.
(Except when I have an extra pair of hands to watch the kids or when they are asleep, then I'm a rabbit hurrying to accomplish as much as I can with the uninterrupted time that I have. That feels good too!)
4 comments:
I am still getting used to two kids and I am still figuring out the time adjustments on things. A lot more thought certainly has to go into the "getting ready" part these days. Looks like you have come up with a great solution!
oh thank you for that! I needed to hear that more than you know! I feel like I am running and running and getting now where at all! and I am so exhausted by the end of the day that I just crash! literally! thanks for your words, I am going to try being a turtle as well! Love you guys!!!
I need to remember that! I can't imagine doing what I am doing with a newborn in tow! you are my hero!
I know what you mean about being a family of turtles (and I love that visualization)...I need to do better with that (as you saw this morning when I was trying to get out the door). We just have to keep on keepin' on...right? You're such a great mama!
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