I am talking about this whole week. Starting with the heated argument that the Hubs and I had on Monday, the sickness I had on Tues and Wed, and ending with the last 2 days, of which the children have apparently forgotten everything I have ever taught them about manners, sharing, fighting, back talking, and basically being well behaved.
I am just ready for this week to end and a new one to begin. I watched Joyce Meyer yesterday (it was on my DVR so it wasn’t actually yesterday’s show, but it was one from this week) and it struck a chord with me as she was talking about having a purpose every day. “Even if you stay home and take care of young children,” she said, “do it with passion”. Have a plan.
Good point. Now that school is out, we are less structured. A LOT LESS! As in my weekly goals look something like this: go to the grocery store before Friday and check email. Food and the internet…talk about priorities!
Okay, but seriously I like a certain amount of relaxation. I do not like getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the worldly ways. Always on the go with the kids involved in everything. It stresses me out. I like to do stuff, yes, but not every day. I do not have to be constantly entertained. I guess you could call me a “home-body”.
But at the same time I am lacking direction since school got out. It shows in how the kids are acting up. It shows in the (lack of) cleanliness of my house. It shows in how I feel about myself. And most importantly, it shows in my relationship with the Lord.
So after a disaster of a week, I am getting back on track. I will go to bed at a decent hour, get up and have quiet time, make a plan for each day, and make sure I am working toward my goals.
Goal #1: Being a loving and gentle (aka: screamfree) wife and mother
Goal #2: For Savannah: begin simple math skills, teach lower case letters, and do the Build a Bear Summer Reading program, possibly reading Charlotte’s Web with her
Goal #3: For Emery: continue teaching letter sounds and basic colors (he thinks everything is blue), and working puzzles with him
Those seem like reasonable, attainable summer goals that leave plenty of room for fun in the sun. I think this week was a good wake up call for me that relaxation should not equal having no direction. I am excited about next week. Now, if I can just make it through the rest of this day!!!
5 Comments
Great post. I’ve been struggling with the whole *no direction* thing this week, as well. My baby is due soon and I’m starting to feel that
*whoa* feeling. You’ve given me some encouragment. Good luck!
Ok, friend. Here’s my rule: The first week school is out we do just what you did-do not be too hard on yourself. How can you keep
things in order while you are SICK and the kids are staying at other peoples houses! And, let’s not forget this Purpose Driven Life
bible study that we are TRYING to do so everything is going to go against us right now. Now, get sarted on your new structure and
have a great summer. Way to go with a plan and not just “flying by the seat of your pants” (which is not your way at all). Love ya!
We’ve had a week of chaos too. I hope you’re feeling better. I think we’ll have a little more structure this week although that could fly out the window at a moments notice.
Feel better!
I’m sorry you had such a crummy week! But it sounds like you have a good plan.
Hope you’re having a good weekend!
God bless :)
I’m looking forward to a lazy summer. All we really have planned are two cross country family visits/vacation (one down, on to go) gymnastics lessons for two of my four, and spending the summer at the water park.
Though I do plan to have some structure the days we are home ( I still have to finish my first graders phonics curriculum and plan on doing some read alouds with everyone!) I plan on taking it easy with the kids and writing more.
I highly recommend you scrap TEACHING the kids the letter sounds and get the DVD The Lettern Factory, by Leap Frog. My daughter learned all her letter sounds at two years old and I didn’t have to do the program I picked out for her. We just watched the vido and the others in the series which teach advanced blends, and simple words like CAT, etc.
Let me know if you decide to do it. We checked the videos out from the library so much I decided to buy them. Rock n Phonics is a great video also for older (K-2nd) and I lose the mommy guilt when I stick the videos on and do something fun or not so fun (like clean house!)
Have a great summer!