"MOM!!! I need cucumbers!" my littlest hollers at me from the tub, her voice echoing down the hall. I'm in the kitchen sweeping the floor and I can barely make out what she's saying. I step to the stairs to yell back, "Why? We don't eat snacks in the tub." There is a pause. I can hear the water swishing. "It's not for a snack. I need to relax." These are the little moments I want to remember when she's grown with kids of her own. … [Read more...]
hold on to the details
As you practice finding your family stories around you, it's easy to focus on the big ones. The big lessons learned, the firsts and the lasts. Sometimes, however, the most important stories are none of those things. Yes, it's easier to share a story where I had a sudden realization of something about my kids, or something about myself. But when I scroll back through these photographs, when I re-read my words, I always find I'm most drawn to the simple scenes. The "how life really was" moments. It's all the little details that I've … [Read more...]
taking up space
I've noticed a consistent discomfort in my yoga practice. Before class, I'm neurotically assessing my mat. Is it too close to anyone? Am I taking up too much space, where two people could fit? I'm always looking for the perfect balance of not encroaching someone's personal space bubble and not taking up too much valuable floor space for myself. During practice, I struggle to quiet my mind. Am I invading someone's space by reaching my arms out as instructed? I'm constantly checking on my limbs to make sure they don't invade anyone's … [Read more...]
everyday
I present to you: a typical December school morning. To avoid the frantic rush of "Where are my shoes? Where is my coat?" I make them out on coat/shoes/backpack a good 10 minutes before we need to leave (because on any given morning we will use that entire 10 minutes finding these things)- and if they are quick enough, they can play the rest of the time. My coat is slung over the chair from the 6:20 bus stop run with my oldest (she doesn't like walking down in the dark and asks me to drive her each morning). School papers and mail are all over … [Read more...]
my favorite part of the day
While I've stopped sharing my "photo a day" project of my kids, I haven't stopped shooting it- all the images from early September onward sit unedited on my computer and I'm looking forward to catching up after the holidays. I need to tell these stories before I start to forget the details! I was scrolling through them this morning- stories of fledgeling independence, resilience, and love. Stories where I fear it's the last moments of true childhood, of growing up, and so many mundane, messy, everyday moments that I will treasure a decade … [Read more...]
beginner
I am a complete beginner in my mindfulness journey, and I already feel like I am learning so much about myself, about today's culture, and the way we program our brains in a manner that encourages stress. I can only speak for myself, but I don't believe my experiences are unique. I've learned I don't know how to simply BE. I've allowed my brain to get addicted to constant input- but it's not even valuable input. It's junk knowledge. I was listening to The Minimalists recently and they said "Scrolling is the new smoking." Wow- let that … [Read more...]
an announcement
I've been preoccupied lately with seasons and change. Not just weather-related seasons, but the seasons of life we go through. We start with one identity, get comfortable with it, and things shift. We reassess. Perhaps redefine ourselves, and get used to the new normal. And things shift again. Nothing stays the same- but that's also what makes life beautiful and exciting and everything but boring. I took my kids to see Frozen II recently and I found the same sentiments echoed throughout the movie. Everything from Olaf waxing poetic: … [Read more...]
little moments are what matters most
When you reflect back on to your own childhood, what do you remember? Is it just a highlight reel of your milestones? Big birthday parties and Christmases, vacations and awards? Or is it a stream of little moments- the mundane, the normal. Except it doesn't feel mundane when you remember it, coated in nostalgia. Milestones are wonderful, but the magic of childhood lies in everyday moments. Riding bikes, exploring the woods, building lego towers. Endless days of imagination and exploration. When I look back on photos of my … [Read more...]
I don’t need to do it all
Evenings used to be so stressful. I'm frantically packing up the leftovers, doing the dishes, wiping down the kitchen, sweeping, and chasing the kids up to showers late on a daily basis. Sure, I don't have to scrub down the kitchen each night, but I like waking up to a clean kitchen, even if the rest of the house is a total disaster. There's something about having dishes piled high and all the counters covered in crap and crumbs all over the floor sticking to my feet that just makes my anxiety levels sky rocket. Sure, I could wait … [Read more...]
our kids are actually listening
I am my youngest's den leader in Cub Scouts. She's a Lion right now, and we have a den of 4 girls. When I am sitting with the girls to do the "talk time" - the actual lesson between the activities- 3 of the girls are sitting quietly and listening while my own daughter is rolling around on the floor and pretending to be a cat. Last fall, we had a meeting on hiking safety. We talked about what to do if you are separated from the group- it's called SAW. What is SAW? S- Sit down, stay still. Don't walk around- let the grownups do the … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 17
- Next Page »
