I walked inside after having supper on our newly constructed deck (and perhaps a Cooler or two) with My Son and it was 7:30 p.m. on a Thursday night...
It all started with an innocent question. I was reheating a (previously) barbecued hamburger in the oven. "Would you like one?" I asked. He asked if I would like fries. I asked if he would like to sit on the deck and have a drink ...
The next thing you know, it was 7:30 p.m. on a Thursday night. I looked at the clock and remembered what day of the week it was. All I could think was, "Thank goodness I didn't have a dance lesson tonight. I would have forgotten all about it."
This ... is what I love about my new/old life. No more flyers. I have almost used up all of the dance lessons that I have paid for. My weeknight commitments are almost non-existant.
And I'm loving it!!! I'm loving every moment.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Independence Encouraged Here
I am a great believer in providing children a safe, comfortable environment surrounded with opportunities to play, learn, adapt and grow within my daycare. Most of all, I try to encourage age-appropriate independence.
I have endeavored to collect toys that will grow with the kids and provide 'accidental learning' through play. I interject electronic gadgets into the mix but it isn't all about computer games. We watch some TV but I like to steer towards programs that teach values or lessons or learning.
I like to stand on the sidelines and guide them towards fair play and being kind verses sitting-on-the-floor and actually playing with the kids. This is how I have raised my own kids. I have two full-grown children and one semi-grown advanced teen as my testament that 'my way' is not a bad way to raise a child.
I am feeling a little challenged within my present-day-daycare situation. I take care of three children under the age of three. Two of these children have no other siblings and the third child has siblings that are about ten years older than her. Enter my part-time Kindergarten child who is the youngest child within his own family and all of his cousins on all sides of his family. I am surrounded by children who are a little bit used to the world revolving around them.
My three little ones, under the age of three are growing up together. They are interacting with each other within their days and life-at-daycare. It isn't 'all about them' here. They are part of a family. We have had some growing pains ... but I think we are headed in a good direction.
Enter my Kindergarten Guy. I was updating my daycare blog this morning and it wasn't until my fingers were telling the story of our day, that I realized that it didn't matter what I chose to do with our day ... Kindergarten Guy was not impressed.
He doesn't like daycare. He doesn't enjoy being around 'babies' (he isn't used to being the oldest). He doesn't enjoy walks. So I diverted our walk into 'Lunch at McDonald's'. I thought having a destination in mind would curb the complaining (walking to the mailbox a few blocks away was too far at first). And it worked. He didn't voice a negative word as we made our way down the city streets en route to our lunch destination.
But it was the 'adventure' that we could have had on our way home that makes me sit back and scratch my head.
We wandered through Petland. He held his nose and hated every moment of it. We were being shadowed by a store employee that gave off vibes of not trusting me to ensure my kids behaved in an animal-appropriate ways, so I was just as glad to get out of the store as my Kindergarten Guy was ...
We cut through the mall and I let the kids sit in the various coin operated 'rides' they have scattered throughout the mall. Kindergarten Guy didn't want to 'embarrass himself', so he trailed along his younger companion and went where he went ... but seemed determined not to have fun.
We stopped at a park that was on our shortcut back home. A dog scared Kindergarten Guy. He is afraid of animals. All animals (his fear is greatly exaggerated when he has an audience).
After that excitement, the boys stood atop of the play structure. The playground was not age appropriate for my little guy, but Kindergarten Guy simply stood there too.
At that point, there was little left to do than go home. And we did.
This little guy is not yet six years old but he makes being a 'child' look like very hard work. He plops himself down on the couch and has the look of "I'm here. It is now your job to impress me ..." about him. What will he remember when he looks back on being a child? Will he hear laughter in his memories? Will he remember using his imagination and creating his own fun? Or will it be all about the world around him creating the fun and enjoyment for him?
What is happening to our children? Are we taking away their creativity by filling every moment of every day with something to stimulate them so much that they are not learning the joy of using their imagination through plain old ordinary 'play'?
I am not climbing on a soap box here and saying what I think is right or justified or the only way. It is just what I am seeing through my own tunnel vision here within my little daycare world.
I will continue to do what I am doing. I will guide these children to play together and apart independently, fairly and within a safe, clean and comfortable environment. My goal is to do my part in creating 'good citizens' when they go out into this big, brave world. I strive to help them build their independent thinking skills. Because there is nothing more scary (to me) than sending a child out into the world without their own reasoning skills and 'free will' highly developed.
As I tell my 2-1/2 year old little guy each and every day:
I encourage independence here. Independent play. Independent thinking. Fair play and respecting others. These are good rules to follow no matter how old you get.
I have endeavored to collect toys that will grow with the kids and provide 'accidental learning' through play. I interject electronic gadgets into the mix but it isn't all about computer games. We watch some TV but I like to steer towards programs that teach values or lessons or learning.
I like to stand on the sidelines and guide them towards fair play and being kind verses sitting-on-the-floor and actually playing with the kids. This is how I have raised my own kids. I have two full-grown children and one semi-grown advanced teen as my testament that 'my way' is not a bad way to raise a child.
I am feeling a little challenged within my present-day-daycare situation. I take care of three children under the age of three. Two of these children have no other siblings and the third child has siblings that are about ten years older than her. Enter my part-time Kindergarten child who is the youngest child within his own family and all of his cousins on all sides of his family. I am surrounded by children who are a little bit used to the world revolving around them.
My three little ones, under the age of three are growing up together. They are interacting with each other within their days and life-at-daycare. It isn't 'all about them' here. They are part of a family. We have had some growing pains ... but I think we are headed in a good direction.
Enter my Kindergarten Guy. I was updating my daycare blog this morning and it wasn't until my fingers were telling the story of our day, that I realized that it didn't matter what I chose to do with our day ... Kindergarten Guy was not impressed.
He doesn't like daycare. He doesn't enjoy being around 'babies' (he isn't used to being the oldest). He doesn't enjoy walks. So I diverted our walk into 'Lunch at McDonald's'. I thought having a destination in mind would curb the complaining (walking to the mailbox a few blocks away was too far at first). And it worked. He didn't voice a negative word as we made our way down the city streets en route to our lunch destination.
But it was the 'adventure' that we could have had on our way home that makes me sit back and scratch my head.
We wandered through Petland. He held his nose and hated every moment of it. We were being shadowed by a store employee that gave off vibes of not trusting me to ensure my kids behaved in an animal-appropriate ways, so I was just as glad to get out of the store as my Kindergarten Guy was ...
We cut through the mall and I let the kids sit in the various coin operated 'rides' they have scattered throughout the mall. Kindergarten Guy didn't want to 'embarrass himself', so he trailed along his younger companion and went where he went ... but seemed determined not to have fun.
We stopped at a park that was on our shortcut back home. A dog scared Kindergarten Guy. He is afraid of animals. All animals (his fear is greatly exaggerated when he has an audience).
After that excitement, the boys stood atop of the play structure. The playground was not age appropriate for my little guy, but Kindergarten Guy simply stood there too.
At that point, there was little left to do than go home. And we did.
This little guy is not yet six years old but he makes being a 'child' look like very hard work. He plops himself down on the couch and has the look of "I'm here. It is now your job to impress me ..." about him. What will he remember when he looks back on being a child? Will he hear laughter in his memories? Will he remember using his imagination and creating his own fun? Or will it be all about the world around him creating the fun and enjoyment for him?
What is happening to our children? Are we taking away their creativity by filling every moment of every day with something to stimulate them so much that they are not learning the joy of using their imagination through plain old ordinary 'play'?
I am not climbing on a soap box here and saying what I think is right or justified or the only way. It is just what I am seeing through my own tunnel vision here within my little daycare world.
I will continue to do what I am doing. I will guide these children to play together and apart independently, fairly and within a safe, clean and comfortable environment. My goal is to do my part in creating 'good citizens' when they go out into this big, brave world. I strive to help them build their independent thinking skills. Because there is nothing more scary (to me) than sending a child out into the world without their own reasoning skills and 'free will' highly developed.
As I tell my 2-1/2 year old little guy each and every day:
- "Think"
- "Use your own brain"
- "Be a leader"
- "You can teach the little ones what you know"
- "You are the best little two-year-old that I know!"
- "Just be yourself" ...
I encourage independence here. Independent play. Independent thinking. Fair play and respecting others. These are good rules to follow no matter how old you get.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Let the Sun Shine In!!! (or not)
Due to the lack of kids here today, we have been able to leave the back door open and let the sun shine into our day with all of its glory.
The sun has brought to light, that which I have known all along. This house is dirty. Very dirty.
When that very same door is shut, the natural light come in via a north window (aka: indirect sunlight no matter what the time of day). When the door is open? The morning sun from the east shines brightly.
Oh! The screen door was a mess. That was easy. I cleaned that up while my 2-1/2 year old ate his breakfast. Once that was clean, the kitchen looked worse than it did before I started.
The dirt and grime on the screen door glass must have diluted the natural sunlight by an iota. Because when I turned around, all I could see was the water marks left behind on the dishwasher, stove, fridge and cupboards. Don't even let me get started on the blinds and kitchen window.
I have company coming this weekend and the kitchen is disgusting. If I keep the back door closed I may be able to get away with a minimal amount of scrubbing and scouring. If we have breakfast on the deck, go out for a while and return home after the sun has moved in a westward direction ... that could work. Maybe it will be cloudy and the sun won't tell the tale of my unkempt house ...
Then again ... maybe I could just clean things up around here. The sad part is that there is quite literally no end to the dirt that has been evading the sunlight. It is everywhere.
Maybe I'll take the kids outside to play for a while instead.
The sun has brought to light, that which I have known all along. This house is dirty. Very dirty.
When that very same door is shut, the natural light come in via a north window (aka: indirect sunlight no matter what the time of day). When the door is open? The morning sun from the east shines brightly.
Oh! The screen door was a mess. That was easy. I cleaned that up while my 2-1/2 year old ate his breakfast. Once that was clean, the kitchen looked worse than it did before I started.
The dirt and grime on the screen door glass must have diluted the natural sunlight by an iota. Because when I turned around, all I could see was the water marks left behind on the dishwasher, stove, fridge and cupboards. Don't even let me get started on the blinds and kitchen window.
I have company coming this weekend and the kitchen is disgusting. If I keep the back door closed I may be able to get away with a minimal amount of scrubbing and scouring. If we have breakfast on the deck, go out for a while and return home after the sun has moved in a westward direction ... that could work. Maybe it will be cloudy and the sun won't tell the tale of my unkempt house ...
Then again ... maybe I could just clean things up around here. The sad part is that there is quite literally no end to the dirt that has been evading the sunlight. It is everywhere.
Maybe I'll take the kids outside to play for a while instead.
Monday, May 6, 2013
The Gift of Choice
I have been hard pressed to understand exactly why my weekends have created a small amount of anxiety within me.
Yes, I know that it is very simple to pinpoint the physical reasons. I am juggling a few too many responsibilities and the weekend seems to be catch up time. If it isn't one thing, it is another. My time is consumed.
But as I wandered through this morning with only precious few minutes of it left before my daycare family starts arriving, there is a difference in the air this morning. I do not have to leave the house today. Unless I choose to do so.
Chances are very, very high that I will make the choice to wander outside the confines of life-at-home. I love taking my little people out for a walk. We are limited as to what we can do and how far we can go. But we have the choice to go (thank you, Spring).
The difference about my weekends is the lack of choice. I must leave the house by a specific time. It doesn't matter how much or how little that I have to do before that predestined time rolls around, I find at least three more things to do before I run out the door. I have adopted the bad habit of arriving five minutes late to any and all weekend obligations. It is a sickness. It is like I am internally fighting this weekend-must-do-mentality by being late. As if my time is more important than someone else's. As I wrote the words, I heard my inner voice saying, "On the weekend?? It is ..."
I work for friends. They would completely and totally understand if I called them up at the last minute and cancelled. So showing up five minutes late is not the extreme faux pas that my mother has ingrained in me. But my mom has taught me well. Five minutes ... thirty minutes ... or not showing up at all. It is all a sign of disrespect. That is not the message that I am trying to send when I wander in five minutes late to each and every Saturday or Sunday morning job that I have.
Perhaps that five minutes buys me the gift of 'choice'. I do choose to go. But on my own conditions .... Nope. I'm not buying that either. The minute that I must do something, it changes my mind set.
Each and every time I work at any of the above jobs, once I am there I am more than happy to take on whatever job is set out before me. In fact, yesterday was almost fun. It was enjoyable. Thoroughly. At no point after I headed the car in towards the day I was about to live, did I have a moment of regret or foreboding. I want to do this.
I chatted with my 'Sunday Boss' yesterday and she is more than a little bit accommodating when it comes to making this work. As time goes on, I will be able to do more from home and the need to go out to her place will lessen. I don't know if that is a good thing or not. Because my home is already my 7:30 - 5:30, Monday to Friday place-of-employment. Any time that I have had extra bookkeeping to do from home, I do with the greatest of effort. I don't like mixing my scheduled down-time at home with another job. I do sort of enjoy the physical distance that separates me from my work.
So ... the reality is that given a choice, I would probably choose to work outside of my home verses having work bully its way into my weekend. At home.
But no matter which way I slice and dice it, as usual ... it is Monday morning and I am beyond grateful that my work is coming to me.
Given a choice? I choose to work from home. Doing what I am doing works best for me right now. Even when my out-of-home work obligations infringe upon the weekend ... it simply makes Monday morning feel better than ever.
When you wake up on a Monday morning and feel gratitude for the day and week ahead of you ... you know that you have chosen well. You are where you are meant to be. At least for now.
Yes, I know that it is very simple to pinpoint the physical reasons. I am juggling a few too many responsibilities and the weekend seems to be catch up time. If it isn't one thing, it is another. My time is consumed.
But as I wandered through this morning with only precious few minutes of it left before my daycare family starts arriving, there is a difference in the air this morning. I do not have to leave the house today. Unless I choose to do so.
Chances are very, very high that I will make the choice to wander outside the confines of life-at-home. I love taking my little people out for a walk. We are limited as to what we can do and how far we can go. But we have the choice to go (thank you, Spring).
The difference about my weekends is the lack of choice. I must leave the house by a specific time. It doesn't matter how much or how little that I have to do before that predestined time rolls around, I find at least three more things to do before I run out the door. I have adopted the bad habit of arriving five minutes late to any and all weekend obligations. It is a sickness. It is like I am internally fighting this weekend-must-do-mentality by being late. As if my time is more important than someone else's. As I wrote the words, I heard my inner voice saying, "On the weekend?? It is ..."
I work for friends. They would completely and totally understand if I called them up at the last minute and cancelled. So showing up five minutes late is not the extreme faux pas that my mother has ingrained in me. But my mom has taught me well. Five minutes ... thirty minutes ... or not showing up at all. It is all a sign of disrespect. That is not the message that I am trying to send when I wander in five minutes late to each and every Saturday or Sunday morning job that I have.
Perhaps that five minutes buys me the gift of 'choice'. I do choose to go. But on my own conditions .... Nope. I'm not buying that either. The minute that I must do something, it changes my mind set.
Each and every time I work at any of the above jobs, once I am there I am more than happy to take on whatever job is set out before me. In fact, yesterday was almost fun. It was enjoyable. Thoroughly. At no point after I headed the car in towards the day I was about to live, did I have a moment of regret or foreboding. I want to do this.
I chatted with my 'Sunday Boss' yesterday and she is more than a little bit accommodating when it comes to making this work. As time goes on, I will be able to do more from home and the need to go out to her place will lessen. I don't know if that is a good thing or not. Because my home is already my 7:30 - 5:30, Monday to Friday place-of-employment. Any time that I have had extra bookkeeping to do from home, I do with the greatest of effort. I don't like mixing my scheduled down-time at home with another job. I do sort of enjoy the physical distance that separates me from my work.
So ... the reality is that given a choice, I would probably choose to work outside of my home verses having work bully its way into my weekend. At home.
But no matter which way I slice and dice it, as usual ... it is Monday morning and I am beyond grateful that my work is coming to me.
Given a choice? I choose to work from home. Doing what I am doing works best for me right now. Even when my out-of-home work obligations infringe upon the weekend ... it simply makes Monday morning feel better than ever.
When you wake up on a Monday morning and feel gratitude for the day and week ahead of you ... you know that you have chosen well. You are where you are meant to be. At least for now.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
The Power of Intention
I tried writing earlier this morning, but my thoughts were scattered and my words didn't tell the story of my mind. All I can say is ... thank goodness.
I deleted paragraphs of words, wrote an email to My Brother (please delete and forgive me?) and read an email that arrived this morning.
It was an email of an inspirational kind. It was brief and to the point. It should have held my interest. But it didn't. There were three words that caught my eye: "The Power of Intention" ...
I googled those words and knew that I was not up to reading this morning, so I clicked on a YouTube video. The speaker was Wayne Dyer. I have had at least two people on two separate occasions refer me to his books or talks on PBS. I just didn't follow through. I tried. But I didn't have the attention span to absorb what he had to say over the course of his fundraising talks on public television (sorry).
I started by watching this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db0i4beFpWo . It is ten minutes long and this morning ... it spoke to me. So I invested 51 minutes of my Sunday morning to watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdjCxmoomTM .
It was well worth the time spent. For me. Today. I am short on time this morning but just thought I'd drop off this suggestion here this morning. Follow-up to follow on a day when I have more time.
The amazing part of this entire experience this morning was when I heard the last few minutes of Mr. Dyer's 51 minute video. I have been quoting this story of his for years as "something I once heard". Your words have been within me all along, Wayne Dyer. I have been following the path that I must have heard a very long time ago. As I wrote down the 10 Principles, it was as if I had been subconsciously living my life in my own version of this all along. I must have absorbed his words long ago but had no idea what my 'source' was.
Now I know. Now I will listen more carefully. Onward ...
I deleted paragraphs of words, wrote an email to My Brother (please delete and forgive me?) and read an email that arrived this morning.
It was an email of an inspirational kind. It was brief and to the point. It should have held my interest. But it didn't. There were three words that caught my eye: "The Power of Intention" ...
I googled those words and knew that I was not up to reading this morning, so I clicked on a YouTube video. The speaker was Wayne Dyer. I have had at least two people on two separate occasions refer me to his books or talks on PBS. I just didn't follow through. I tried. But I didn't have the attention span to absorb what he had to say over the course of his fundraising talks on public television (sorry).
I started by watching this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db0i4beFpWo . It is ten minutes long and this morning ... it spoke to me. So I invested 51 minutes of my Sunday morning to watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdjCxmoomTM .
It was well worth the time spent. For me. Today. I am short on time this morning but just thought I'd drop off this suggestion here this morning. Follow-up to follow on a day when I have more time.
The amazing part of this entire experience this morning was when I heard the last few minutes of Mr. Dyer's 51 minute video. I have been quoting this story of his for years as "something I once heard". Your words have been within me all along, Wayne Dyer. I have been following the path that I must have heard a very long time ago. As I wrote down the 10 Principles, it was as if I had been subconsciously living my life in my own version of this all along. I must have absorbed his words long ago but had no idea what my 'source' was.
Now I know. Now I will listen more carefully. Onward ...
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Listen to the Silence
Moments from my morning-thus-far ...
I stepped out into the hallway this morning and was greeted by our cat who was waiting for an early morning massage. He stretched out before me and rolled and purred and enjoyed the moments of human contact.
Our little miracle senior cat seems to have bounced back to his former state of health. He is showing us his kitten-like ways on a semi-regular basis. He is up to the occasional game of 'tag/hide run & seek' with My Youngest. He is making every attempt to sneak outside. His fur is shiny and his appetite is back. It has taken months ... but I feel like he has worked his way through whatever was ailing him.
I love the quiet morning greeting from our most favorite cat in the world. It is a most excellent way to start a Saturday morning.
Our home is still asleep this morning. It has been a very long time since I woke up to a Saturday morning such as this (ALL paper and flyer route deliveries from this address have ceased as of April 30th). It is a little bit wonderful.
The job of delivering papers brought an element of goodness to our lives, but we have learned our lessons, paid a few bills and are moving on. It is beneficial when we can get paid to exercise and breathe fresh air. It also places demands upon a person that reap few rewards other than those you create for yourself.
There was an air of hectic-ness that oozed through our lives these past six+ months of delivering papers/flyers. This morning? It is gone. And it feels good. It feels very good.
I have no place that I must be or nothing that I must do today. My Youngest hesitantly asked me if I would be too busy this weekend to see 'Iron Man 3' with him. I am free as a bird and now I have a date to go and see a movie with my son today. And it is good.
I ache for non-working weekends. But where I am is where I need to be. So I will appreciate and revel in the opportunity that I have been given, to diversify my income and work experience. Bookkeeping on the side has been part of my 'retirement plan'. I am beyond blessed that this job has come knocking on my door and I will follow this road for as far as it takes me.
Working on Sundays help me appreciate my Saturdays. I can appreciate my Saturdays ever-so-much-more now that I don't have flyer deliveries to squeeze in, within the Friday and Saturday night deadlines.
The sun is shining. The sky is blue. The day is mine. To do with, as I please. Soaking up a little bit of sunshine, with a book in my hand and a wine cooler at my side sounds blissful. Now if only I had a comfy spot to curl up on, on our newly finished deck ....
A person must keep dreaming. Dream of the little things that you wish to bring into your day today. Invite a little sunshine and bliss into your day and come join me for the ride.
I stepped out into the hallway this morning and was greeted by our cat who was waiting for an early morning massage. He stretched out before me and rolled and purred and enjoyed the moments of human contact.
Our little miracle senior cat seems to have bounced back to his former state of health. He is showing us his kitten-like ways on a semi-regular basis. He is up to the occasional game of 'tag/
I love the quiet morning greeting from our most favorite cat in the world. It is a most excellent way to start a Saturday morning.
Our home is still asleep this morning. It has been a very long time since I woke up to a Saturday morning such as this (ALL paper and flyer route deliveries from this address have ceased as of April 30th). It is a little bit wonderful.
The job of delivering papers brought an element of goodness to our lives, but we have learned our lessons, paid a few bills and are moving on. It is beneficial when we can get paid to exercise and breathe fresh air. It also places demands upon a person that reap few rewards other than those you create for yourself.
There was an air of hectic-ness that oozed through our lives these past six+ months of delivering papers/flyers. This morning? It is gone. And it feels good. It feels very good.
I have no place that I must be or nothing that I must do today. My Youngest hesitantly asked me if I would be too busy this weekend to see 'Iron Man 3' with him. I am free as a bird and now I have a date to go and see a movie with my son today. And it is good.
I ache for non-working weekends. But where I am is where I need to be. So I will appreciate and revel in the opportunity that I have been given, to diversify my income and work experience. Bookkeeping on the side has been part of my 'retirement plan'. I am beyond blessed that this job has come knocking on my door and I will follow this road for as far as it takes me.
Working on Sundays help me appreciate my Saturdays. I can appreciate my Saturdays ever-so-much-more now that I don't have flyer deliveries to squeeze in, within the Friday and Saturday night deadlines.
The sun is shining. The sky is blue. The day is mine. To do with, as I please. Soaking up a little bit of sunshine, with a book in my hand and a wine cooler at my side sounds blissful. Now if only I had a comfy spot to curl up on, on our newly finished deck ....
A person must keep dreaming. Dream of the little things that you wish to bring into your day today. Invite a little sunshine and bliss into your day and come join me for the ride.
Friday, May 3, 2013
The Reason I Take My Job Very Seriously
Children See, Children Do:
As I tell 'my kids': "When you know better, you do better". And what is my excuse when I exhibit behaviour I don't want my kids to repeat? Thankfully this is happening less and less as time goes on (and spring seeps into our days).
** P.S. Two hours after posting this and sending myself positive, subconcious messages ... I was not the adult role model that I set out to be. I am an imperfect person in an imperfect world. I do my best. But I am human. My patience has limits. When exceeded, a 'time out' is required. I gave myself the time out as much as I gave it to the child that was testing my patience. We came back at it with a 'let's start from here' attitude and carried on with the day. Sometimes? We teach our children how to overcome challenges by overcoming them ourselves. Instead of beating myself up over a bad moment, I will focus on the fact that the moment was brief and that we overcame it in a positive way. Sometimes? We do our best and though it isn't perfect ... it is good enough. Let's teach ourselves 'forgiveness'. Forgive ourselves, forgive others. Learn. And carry on...**
As I tell 'my kids': "When you know better, you do better". And what is my excuse when I exhibit behaviour I don't want my kids to repeat? Thankfully this is happening less and less as time goes on (and spring seeps into our days).
** P.S. Two hours after posting this and sending myself positive, subconcious messages ... I was not the adult role model that I set out to be. I am an imperfect person in an imperfect world. I do my best. But I am human. My patience has limits. When exceeded, a 'time out' is required. I gave myself the time out as much as I gave it to the child that was testing my patience. We came back at it with a 'let's start from here' attitude and carried on with the day. Sometimes? We teach our children how to overcome challenges by overcoming them ourselves. Instead of beating myself up over a bad moment, I will focus on the fact that the moment was brief and that we overcame it in a positive way. Sometimes? We do our best and though it isn't perfect ... it is good enough. Let's teach ourselves 'forgiveness'. Forgive ourselves, forgive others. Learn. And carry on...**
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