A PAUSE today to send out appreciation to each of you as you:
…yet again shove shoes on your uncooperative child to get them out the door with the hopes of being no later than you already are…
…stumble through your day following another sleep deprived night
…choose to let your baby cry safely in their crib for a few minutes while you take a much needed and deserved FAST hot shower
…marvel at your ability to catch the falling glass, rescue the pacifier from your dog’s mouth, put yourself between your fighting kids, and STILL keep a calm voice in the midst of it all…not to mention the gymnastics required to do all of this
…plunk your kids in front of a DVD so you can actually breathe for a short while (and maybe get dinner started…or put your feet up?)
...find yourself heating up as your teen rolls their eyes, shrugs their shoulders, uses THAT tone of voice 
…successfully plan ahead for all potential ’emergencies’ before heading out on errands and to the park–you know, the snacks are made, the extra clothes packed, water bottles filled, baby wipes remembered, your wallet tucked where it needs to be…
…choosing to order pizza or nuke leftovers for the 3rd night this week–maybe with a few carrot sticks alongside. Maybe.
…actually have a twinkle in your eye as your toddler does the testing only toddlers can do
…manage week number three of illness running through your household–more runny noses, fevers, grumpy kids, throw-up to clean up, doctor appointments…and how you’ve put aside any or all of your original plans for these weeks as you focus solely on getting everyone back on their feet. Exhausting.
…open your arms to your wailing preschooler, giving them a safe place to feel their great big sad.
…wonder how you are going to make it through another day of crazy-busy…and then discover at the end of the day you did just that–made it through!
Appreciate your self. Find the gifts in it all–the chaos, the mad, the frustration, the twinkles, the successes, the challenges, the laughter. Appreciate your resilience, your efforts at planning, your compassion. Appreciate the time you carve out just for you so you can parent well–even if that means plugging your kids in for a bit or taking an extra minute in the hot shower while your little one cries.
Appreciate how TOUGH this parenting job can be and that you are still in it, moving through each day, juggling the often overwhelming nature of it all. Appreciate how you get daily (hourly!) opportunities to strengthen your patience, calm, creative, pause muscles. Appreciate the opportunities for do-overs…or those moments you actually stop yourself in the midst of blowing up, pause, reflect, and try again. Appreciate the deep caring all of this reflects–the deep caring and commitment you have for your children. What a gift.
What an amazing role model you can be for your children. Know this. And appreciate all your work. PAUSE today and give yourself a hug in your minds-eye. Wrap yourself up in your arms, tell yourself some things you are appreciating about yourself, and cherish YOU.
Appreciation out to each of my readers as you embrace your parenting journey today…
Alice
Author and Parent Coach
©2018 Alice Hanscam