4 ways to help you say ‘Yes’ to your kids more this fall!
As leaves start to change and the air gets cooler, we find ourselves embracing a new season – fall. One of my goals this fall is saying ‘yes’ to my kids more often. I’m not talking about saying yes to more toys and cookies, although I am sure they would love that! haha! I am talking about saying yes to reading another book, yes to getting on the floor to play, yes to nature walks, yes to warm apple cider during story time, and yes to just a little longer snuggles.
It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by crazy schedules and the million things we have to do everyday, that we end up putting off play and quality time with our kids. Even as someone who is literally with her kids every single day, I still struggle with spending individual quality time with them. There is always another thing to do, and unfortunately I use the phrase “not right now baby” way too often. Of course there is balance, and things like cooking and cleaning and taking care of chores/work are important and need to get completed, but I think there is room for improvement - at least for myself - in the amount of yes’s I can begin to start saying. The truth is, often times I am tired or overstimulated from the day, and just don’t feel like it in the moment.
Here are the four things that I have started implementing that have helped me transition into this “yes” fall season:
Using the phrase “As soon as I finish ________ I would LOVE to________ with you!
Realistically, I can’t just drop what I am doing every time my child asks me to do something with them so this simple phrase helps me to not only say yes to my littles, but also to finish the things I’m currently doing. My children have responded really well to this phrase and have even asked how to help me finish what I’m doing so we can play. #winning
If I am feeling overwhelmed throughout the day and not feeling “playful” at all I tell the kids straight up how I feel and what I need to get myself back on track… “Hey babies, mommy is feeling a little overwhelmed right now so I am going to make a cup of coffee and sit with Jesus for a few minutes so He can give me His peace and then I’ll be ready to _______.” I think this is so important because EVERYONE gets overhelmed and overstimulated. Instead of acting like I always have it all together, I can model what to do in situations where you are feeling overwhelmed. Kids learn from what we do so much more than what they say and instead of seeing me frustrated or worse being passive aggressive - I want them to see me relying on Jesus to get me through my days.
3. I have been waking up before my kids and walking on treadmill for 30/45 minutes before I start my day. Now before I lose you here - I have NEVER been a wake up early and workout kind of person - like never. I prefer a simple very slow morning, so hear me when I say if I can do this then so can you. I am not off to the races by any means, I am simply walking on my treadmill. I wake up, brush my teeth, find a YouTube video - this morning I watched a video on decorating your porch for Christmas (yes I know it’s September ha) and got to moving. I don’t even turn my lights on I just have my stove light and some candles lit! I start slowly walking and work my way up to a brisk walk in the 30/45 minutes and walk anywhere from 1.5 to 2 miles. I take a quick shower, get dressed (in cozy clothes of course), make a perfect fall cup of coffee and RELAX - all before my babies wake up. This has improved my mood dramatically and my energy levels are so so good since i’ve been doing this. I love how I feel so much that I am now doing this every morning - unless me and Hector stay up super late because sleeping enough hours is more important to me and my hormones than anything (if you’re in your 30’s or older you will understand haha). Feeling energized makes me more playful and just overall fun to be around!
4. Smile. I know this may sound silly, but recently I’ve noticed how serious I am during the day. Rushing to get the kids ready for activities, working in my garden, chasing kids and chickens around the backyard, or cooking the 100th meal of the day and trying to clean up quickly to do something else…etc I just had this thought one day (thank you Holy Spirit), “in the last hour or two did I even smile at my children?” Life is too short ya’ll and I don’t want my kids to have a negative view of being a mother. I want them to know that I cherish my time with them and that I enjoy my life! So next time your doing the dishes or any other mundane task you’re not super excited about doing make it a point to make eye contact with your kids and smile at them - they just might run up and hug you :)
My prayer for this post is that it inspires you to take a quick look at how your home life has been lately? Are you spending REAL quality time with your kids? Are you saying “yes” to playing and spending time with them when they ask, or have you been like me recently where you say, “not right now baby.” Life is so great that we can reflect, repent, make a choice to do things a different way, and start doing it immediately.
I hope this fall your yeses are filled with laughter and snuggles with your babies!
