Inspiration

Do you feel like you’re too nice?

One of my students called me out for that my first year of teaching.

In her very astute, wise little fifth grade voice she told me, “Mrs. Crohn, you are too nice”

But wait… don’t you want to be nice? Isn’t that something to aim for?

Kind yes. But nice…nice is taking on the full responsibility of other people’s feelings and adapting your behavior to make others happy.

That’s what I was doing when an 11-year-old called me out.

As a mom, I put hobbies on the backburner.

I didn’t know I was doing it at the time. It wasn’t a conscious decision.

I lost it. I broke down sobbing, stomped down the stairs, slammed the guest room door and buried my head under a pillow.

I wish I could say this an old tale – like from my teenage years. But no, it happened last weekend.

Let me explain.

It’s the fifth time your son has whined this morning.

The screeching sounds causes every single muscle in your neck to tighten. Your head feels dizzy. Seriously, whining kids could’ve been a form of medieval torture.

You take a deep breath and let it out.

You will not yell.
You will not yell.
You will not yell.

I stood there at the kitchen sink ready to scream.

My five-year-old son refused anything I suggested.

“Argh!!!!,” he cried as he flung himself down on the couch.

And me, oh I would do anything to get the screaming to stop.

Ever feel like you need to honor every request from your kids? They’re only young once that little voice says, of course, you should WANT to spend every minute with them. But, saying YES only makes you feel burnt out and resentful.

Here’s the fix.

You’re sitting on your couch, playing on your smartphone and you just want to be left alone.

There might be a small amount of guilt lurking under the surface. But not much.

Your kids ask, “Can you play this game with me?”

Nope, not right now, you reply.

You’re burned out. Every bit of energy and motivation has left your body. It disintegrated with that last tantrum or vaporized after your tween daughter gave her characteristic shrug when you asked how her day was.

You’re done and frankly, don’t really see a point in this whole parenting thing anymore.

I see you. I’ve been there.

December! December! Bring on the holiday games!! I researched and pinned all over Pinterest to find you the best games for your family this year.

He lay there screaming on our kitchen floor with his arm twisted under him.

“Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh….”

I panicked and picked my son up from the floor.

You can’t decide. You’ve heard about all the benefits of summer camp for kids, but really, will it be that way for your child? Here’s why you NEED to send your daughter or son to overnight camp.

I slam my foot against the kitchen cabinet.

“Just stop it!” I yell, “Stop the fighting!”

My kids go quiet and stand frozen in the kitchen.

“I’m sorry Mama,” my five-year-old son tells me and immediately… I feel bad.

They’re just kids, they don’t deserve an angry mom.

And yet, I’m literally going out of my mind. I’m so exhausted and feel like I don’t even have the space to sort through my own thoughts.

Is this what motherhood is supposed to be like?

Nope. But, I’m making one critical mistake.

We are frustrated and overwhelmed. Here’s what to do when we feel like we’re failing as a mom.

Feeling guilty about taking time alone as a mom?  No need.  Read on to see why you need it. Learn how time to yourself will change the way you parent.

The absurd ways I meet my neighbors are legendary. While I do have some sane methods of getting to know my community, this story is not one of those. Here’s what I did when I came downstairs in the middle of the day and thought someone had broken into my laundry room.

Santa.  The Easter Bunny.  The Tooth Fairy. All magical creatures that parents love keeping alive for their children. However, what happens when the parents slip…