There’s an hour in the day that I could live without.
It’s that time — between 5 and 6 pm — when the kids are starved (that’s what they tell me), when dinner is still in it’s baby stage (love the days when I use the crockpot), when the starved kids waiting for dinner that is still being chopped are full of energy, and when those sweet, starved kids’ energy, while looking at what I’m making for dinner, is less then ideal. You know the moods. A bit crabby, perhaps looking to irritate a sibling, type moods. And, yes, my kids have those moods. Most often between five and six.
Yesterday was no exception. Elijah, Caleb and Brennan were fighting, Samuel was crying, and there were only ideas for dinner. Nothing made. And it was five pm. (Just in case you were wondering — Hannah, Chloe and Grace were having a girls day with my sister.)
So I stopped.
I walked away. I gathered the boys and we all sat on the floor in the living room and I grabbed whatever book was available. The book? About shadows. Not what I was expecting, but I went with it. By the time we were done, they were a tad calmer. More focused.
Brennan went to play. Leaving me with the wild two. And I looked over in my kitchen and saw shadows.
11 comments
Awesome! What a sweet and resourceful mom!
That’s AWESOME! Creative moments like these are worth MILLIONS! They make mothering bearable… no, sweet, fun, and wonderful. Isn’t juggling a talent to revel in? 😉
this is why you were created to have 7 kids. : ) i love how you took a breather to let everyone calm down… including yourself. i’m learning how to be calm through hours like this. it’s especially hard when daddy isn’t home (and the 3 big sisters!). last night sage screamed the entire time i fed hunter and put him to bed. i felt terrible for her, but what could i do?! but guess what? she survived! : )
thank you so much for your honest, encouraging and thoughtful comment. it’s amazing what a friend you’ve been to me – even though we live far apart! yay for technology. i’m going to email you or call you in the next few days! seriously thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers and kindness. hugs to you.
You. Are. A. Genius. Ditto to what Carissa said – the way you are able to take breathers and calm everyone down and demonstrate grace is truly amazing – and a very encouraging example.
I feel the same way about this very same hour…and I;m stealing your idea!
What a grand idea! I love it. Thanks for sharing the calm within the storm of being a mama of 7.
I blog hopped from lowercase letters. 🙂
i agree with carissa’s comment! what a way to step back and not lose it like i would.
what a creative idea!!! I love it! When I was growing up, that was always the time of day my mom would sit down to play the piano. Food would be bubbling on the stove or in the oven, everyone was antsy and crabby, and she’d sit down and play..
Now I totally understand. And I do the same thing. It relaxes me & it cheers everyone up.
I think this is what “living in the moment” is all about. You are an inspiration.
Oh what a cute post!! 🙂
very cool!
Oh you are such a good mommy! What a way to take a step back, breathe it all in and come up with a creative way to help calm the kiddos down. You inspire me!