What is it about the early morning that inspires?

Today, I was lucky enough to wake before the birds, and I sat in the office with the window slightly open so the cool, gentle, spring breeze was flowing in… and I was able to work, until I heard the birds singing…

I was filled with the wonder of creation, the amazement of a sunrise, and the inspiration that comes with the dawn.

Happy Friday!

much more eloquently said, secrets of dawn by Maliha

Are you a good blogger?

Of all the things that my blog could have been known for… you know, the ever helpful 4 year old, the amusing toddler, the cute baby, the now-blogging-mouse-hunting spouse... I get known for this... my first real rant!

I’m choosing to go with the saying that “any publicity is good publicity” here, but I see that I’m going to have to do a little explaining…

First, please don’t feel guilty for not responding to your readers because I am sure your readers know that you appreciate them! But, of course, if my little rant inspired you to show your readers appreciation, then I’m glad!

There are many times that I leave comments for bloggers and don’t get a response, there are many times that I don’t even go back to check, and it is completely fine… but this story was a little more complicated than I let on… I’ll try to explain in real world terms…

Imagine that you go to a lecture, not anyone really famous, but yes, popular, and you enjoyed it. You didn’t think it was spectacular, but it was entertaining and helpful, but in your mind the person made a slight error during the speech. So, since this lecturer left his phone number with the audience, you decide to call and let him know of the error. He answers the phone, you introduce yourself, he says hello, he listens to you, responds that it was in fact not an error, you say sorry and then go on to say that you really appreciated his lecture and that you would love to buy his book once it’s in stores… you listen for a response, and none comes, just silence… would you think that was rude, or would you say, oh well, he was just too busy to respond?

I guess what I am saying is that I didn’t just remove someone to make a point, or out of anger… I simply feel that if someone is obviously not interesting in interacting with me, then I am not going to force myself into their community.

So, I had no idea that this would make everyone so paranoid! It’s really none of you… the person has no kids, so mommy bloggers… don’t worry!

Ok, as you were…

Real Moms

Trust me Surviving, I have a higher pile of laundry! And here is some proof of the mess that is a ‘real’ mom’s home!

I was inspired by the real mom MamaLoves and her beautiful post, and I am learning to be better from the lovely Irene, and I completely appreciate the realness of Janet’s thoughts.

I want to say how strong real moms are, like my own mom, how much burden we are capable of bearing for the sake of our family, how we can smile and laugh with our kids and grandkids, although we may be weeping on the inside. I want to say how much I admire single moms for their incredible determination. I want to say how resilient we can be, how selfless, how courageous.

Today though, I can feel the darkness, although not as bad as the postpartum variety that I once felt, I still feel sad and empty. It comes without warning or reason, it just creeps up on me, a loneliness, a hopelessness, a gloominess that makes me forget that day before was likely perfect and the day to follow may bring back the light.

Maybe it’s because I am now just at home, or maybe it’s the stresses of life just culminating at certain times and becoming a fog, maybe it’s because sometimes I can’t help but focus on how this became my life, I don’t know the reasons for it, but I know that a hug might make it better.

Real moms need support after all… a kind word, a loving touch, a friendly smile, encouragement to go on, acclamation for just being a real mom… You real moms… job well done!

Breaking routines… good, bad, or ugly?

My 4 year old, best known for his revolutionary potty training techniques, woke up this morning and decided that he didn’t feel like going to school. And, being in a sleepy haze this morning, I somehow rationalized that the 45 minute mad dash to get him school-worthy was more difficult than 9 hours alone with 3 kids! He did ‘promise’ to be good all day!

We had a great breakfast together, they enjoyed each other, they laughed and talked, they were all “I like you mommy”, and I guess being ‘high’ on this unscheduled love-fest with my babies made me give in to their requests for a movie instead of their routine nap-time.

All went well for about 30 minutes, then their attention was gone, the little ones started rubbing their eyes, the eldest started chatting… all was lost… I threatened to take off the movie, but then I thought crying was slightly more irritating! When the baby started complaining, I knew it was time to take action… so I got them ready for naptime, albeit a little later than usual.

But see, the thing about routines is that when it’s not followed, things tend to fall apart, I mean there were tantrums, tears, threats, and you know that it’s hard on the kids as well!

I find that as a stay at home mom now, it’s hard for me to be flexible with my schedule, it’s hard for me to keep it together when things don’t go as planned or expected, it’s just almost impossible to maintain my sanity when my kids refuse naptime! I’m like Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde when my alone-time is threatened!

I am learning that the best way to handle the situation where my kids don’t do as I expect, is to have a contingency plan… I try to say to myself, for example, if they don’t go to sleep, I will let them colour quietly while I work. Sometimes this does work, but sometimes I just don’t have the strength to be a good, rational mother… sometimes I just force them to sleep with semi-empty threats of toys being taken away!

Oh, I think if they were capable of expressing themselves more eloquently, they would say “You know mommy, we are not going to sleep, even if you’re mad, and in fact, your anger is giving us the strength to challenge you, and if you just let us remain awake, we would be quiet because we are tired, and that way you can work instead of feeling guilty for being angry, and then, we’ll go to bed much earlier tonight!”

Potty Training… yes, again!

Just a quick update for my fellow potty warriors…

Today he actually asked to go to the bathroom to do his business! Then I put on his underwear and reminded him of the 4 year old’s advice, “when it is tickling, it means you need to call mommy!” and he asked to go to the bathroom twice to pee! wow!

My advice to you… put the kid back in diapers!! Act like you’re giving up, and when they ask about things like school and other ‘big boy’ activities, causally mention that those are for kids that don’t wear diapers!

Good Luck! And please let me know who wins the battle!