You know that feeling you get when the weather turns nice and you start cleaning all of the winter dust and grime away? That’s what I’ve been doing this week… but with my life. After last week’s bad mom feeling and the realization that I had committed to too many GOOD things, I made some changes. And those changes are this week’s fraddle… fraddle for me, fraddle for my family, fraddle for my husband, and fraddle for my children (even though they don’t like some of it… I’ll explain more later).
First and foremost, I set some boundaries on my computer use… I have decided to blog in the morning before 10am. Then I shut the computer (laptop) at 10 and don’t open it again until 4pm. For the love of my husband, I shut it again at 5pm until 8pm. That frees me up to pay attention* to both my children and my husband. The boys have a great time playing with each other during my morning blogging… right now they’re playing Death Star and building a fort. And I get my morning fix of blogging and a Coke. :) My husband appreciates the closed computer when he comes “home” from work (down from upstairs).
I made a checklist for my oldest one’s homeschool… to help him learn a little more responsibility and to keep me from nagging**. He doesn’t care for this fraddle very much, but it will be very good for him in the future (not all fraddle seems pleasant at the time, but it the end it will bring a great reward). ;)
I’ve taken some time this week to read most of a GREAT parenting book: How to Be a Zen Mama: 13 Ways to Stop Worrying, Let Go and Be Closer to Your Kids by Betsy McKee Henry. I won it in a drawing on her blog and have really enjoyed reading it so far! It takes everything I learned in my Early Childhood and Child Development training and puts it in an easy to read, personal and enjoyable format… I’m LOVING it!***
And yesterday I hardly said, “Just a minute, Honey!” I was so glad that I blogged about it and brought it to my attention! (although saying “Sure, Sweetheart, here I come” has made writing this post take twice as much time as normal!) ;)
Now, today I hope to fraddle for strangers by doing as my sister-in-love blogged about in her most recent post: RAOK (Random Act of Kindness). She’s a great RAOKer!
Although, my plans may be altered some as my littlest one has decided to “potty train” today… I pulled out his 3T summer box last night which was filled with TONS of underwear with all kinds of characters. He squealed for joy and gasped in excitement, “FOR ME!!!???” with each pair I pulled out. How can I resist his eagerness to wear his underwear? Even if it means I’m wearing a timer, taking him to the potty every time it beeps and I’ve already cleaned up one puddle while typing this post… I’m sure I’ll tell you all how it goes! :)
BTW, after I finish my current book (How to Be a Zen Mama) I’ll start on my newest book: Radical by David Platt. It came in the mail earlier this week and I’m SO excited to start it!
Hope you have a GREAT weekend! Thanks for taking the time to read this! I’m REALLY glad you’re here!!! ♥
Oh, here’s a little fraddle for my fellow bloggers! Get more exposure to your blog by linking up your most recent post here for others to check out! Just click the you’re next button below! :)
photo from here
*chapter 8 Find Out What They’re interested In (pay attention) from How to Be a Zen Mama
** chapter 10 Nagging Doesn’t Work from How to Be a Zen Mama
***While How to Be a Zen Mama is written with Buddhist principles, and I am a follower of Christ not Buddha, I have found great truths in Betsy’s writing!
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
You are SO right about the computer schedule!! I try to work during my little guys naptime and in the evening after hubby and have spent some time together! I’ve found that it makes the time more worthwhile because I’m not stopping to say “Just a minute, honey!” =) Thanks for the link-up too!! =)
Man, I miss nap time!!! :) It’s a great time to get things done… ah, it used to be 2 hours of silence and production… ahhhh. (oh, back to reality) ;)
I’m GLAD you linked up! ♥
I admit that I am definitely in need of this, too! Thank you for inspiring me!
Aw, thanks Sherry! ♥ And thanks for commenting! :)
We fraddled by skipping a silly half day of school and finally going to the zoo. It was a wonderful day, and FT Worth has an amazing zoo! But, after five plus hours of walking around, an hour and a half to get home in traffic (I should have looked up a backroad way to get home!), and then my hour workout, I’m too tired to post yet. But, we fraddled!
Don’t you LOVE the Fort Worth zoo!!? Sounds like a GREAT (but tiring) day… thanks for sharing your fraddle, sweet friend! :) (that’s fraddle for me!) ♥
Thanks Michelle! I like to find the best of all religions. I think the core of most religions have universal truths that appeal to all!
Please feel free to use the poem on my website! It’s an anonymous poem. I wish my son or I had written it!!
Thanks, Betsy! I might post it tomorrow… I bet your sons would have written something very similar about their sweet Zen Mama!
Btw, I have more posts in my head related to your book… I’m sure today’s not the last day we’ll hear about the Zen Mama! (I really do LOVE the book!! It resonates with my parenting/educators soul! ) One of these days I’m going to post a video in honor of Chapter 3 Don’t Sweat the Big Stuff. :)
Thanks again!
Love,
♥ Michelle
I’m always so inspired by your fraddles. Really great ideas on how to stay connected with your family but still get some of your own screen time!
That’s so sweet! Thanks, Robin!! ♥ Michelle
Lady, your words really got me. I have been doing similar “spring cleaning.” With summer coming, I found myself thinking, “Oh, my what in the world are we going to DO this summer?!?” I have found an excellent opportunity to minister to elderly people in a retirement community and the best part is my boys will come with me and use their gifts. Not only will we swim, play, hike, vacation this summer we are going to minister, aka fraddle :) together, as a family! Loving your blog! Thanks for continually sharing all the meaningful parts of your life.
Wow, that sounds GREAT!! That’s wonderful that your boys will get to be with you using their gifts, too… just imagine what an impact that will have on them! I hope you blog about it… I’d LOVE to hear more!!
And THANK YOU for your sweet, sweet words!!!! :)
♥ Michelle