Day 3 of Twenty Days

This task was posted by The Parenting Passageway. My gist of the task is that we're being asked to look into positivity and how we bring joy into the family. It has taken me three weeks to a) get my head around the post and b) even consider that I can be positive about something. Sometimes I wake up and I just think "Groundhog Day". Here we go again. One foot in front of the other, just keep going and don't look down.   

My anxiety has slowly been creeping higher and higher over the past few days. Today the anxiety was high. Behind the anxiety is a sadness, a sadness that gathers and slowly seeps into all aspects of my life. It is so draining, this sadness. It doesn't take much to have it engulf me. So, as I stood in my dining room and watched Chook completely strip a cupboard and fling everything all over the place, I could only walk away and cry. I was overwhelmed. I was going under. Then I got angry.

I stormed into the house, ready to be drill sergeant and get that mess cleaned up. As I rounded the corner, steam coming out of my ears, I saw this...

The anger melted away and was replaced with wonderment. Out of the chaos that he had created was this amazing structure that went from one living room wall to the other. At that moment it was the most wonderful thing I had ever seen. I said "Wow, Chook! That looks amazing!"

He told me it was a slide. He had used every single block from the now empty cupboard to create this masterpiece. ALL BY HIMSELF. 30 months old.

What did I learn from this?
Heaps.
Out of the mess, something amazing, creative was created. Maybe it is good to walk away, but walk away with a light heart and open ears. Mess can be cleaned up, creativity can be squashed by drill sergeants. My issues are mine alone. Meet my children with positivity, not as the cause of my stress. Stop and look at what is really going on here. Listen not just with my ears but with my heart.

Step back and observe, not only in the moment (which can be so difficult) but find some time just for me when I can reflect on how I am feeling and how I am travelling.

Look at ways that I can be a joy to be around. Find things to laugh about, try and see the funny side of things or at least look for even one positive thing (no matter how small and seemingly insignificant). Try to smile more often. Sing and/or have music playing in the background. Play with the children and be present. Find satisfaction in the thought that at that moment in time I did the best I could with what I had, even if it's not to my full expectations.

What tips could you add?

Share a parenting moment in the comments below that has given you joy or pop over to Triple T Mum Facebook page and leave your story there. I'd love to read it!