More thoughts on the Retreat!

If you are waiting for Vacation (Part I), well you'll have to wait a little longer. I just wanted to jot down some of my thoughts a week out from the retreat, now that I've had some time to reflect. One of the most powerful moments I had, was when I realized that my children are not going to look back and know that their mother loved them by the fancy car that she drove (I don't drive a fancy car), or the perfectly accessorized wardrobe she had, or the six pack abs she had going on. Nope! That's not how I knew my mother loved me. It was her availability, her hugs, her listening ear, her spending time with me. So why should I be stressing out about all of that stuff. It doesn't make me a better mom. (Well a new pair of shoes might make me feel better, and then I'm in a better mood, and I can deal with my kids a little longer), but in the long run it won't make me any happier than I am today. It was a powerful moment and I could feel the stress melt away. Thanks Allyson!

I also learned a lot about giving my children ownership. Ownership of everything really. I've been a little stressed about trying to get my kids to do chores and how to do rewards and such. This was a great topic and I've already used some of the ideas I got. For example, yesterday the girls room looked like I bomb had went off. I really wanted them to feel some responsibility for it and didn't want to just clean it up for them. So one of the ideas I got was to write down the specific chores on pieces of paper, like put movies away, pick up Legos, help Mom with the clothes, etc.  I then layed them face down on the floor and let them choose four. Out of those four, they could put one back, and well that was what Julianne got. I still had to stay on them to keep them on task, but overall, I didn't get much complaining, and the "I can't do it"s this time. It was GREAT! and they got their jobs done.

I learned a lot about organization and have implemented Mind Organization for Moms. My head is so clear now! I know what to do next and feel on top of things instead of behind them. That's worth a million bucks in and of itself. Check it out here.

In short, I feel at peace in what I'm doing as a mom. It really is the most important job out there. Mothering is a career and should be treated as one. We have to be deliberate these days in order to create the kind of family we desire. I often see pictures of an older more established couple surrounded by their children and then their grandchildren and think to myself, "Yes, that's what I want someday!" I want a close knit family that is bonded by traditions and love and memories. I can't just wish for that...I've got to make it happen. It's exciting. It's challenging. It's often times difficult. But it's all worth it!