Our 31 days to the inner rhythm of the heart, the root foundation of a house of peace, is in progress. In the vein of those who are setting a New Year’s intention with “one word”, I offer the word of today to you: joy. Read on for more…
Mothers with one child tell me that often how their family life “feels” revolves around the moods of their only child; it has such a big impact on the family. Mothers with multiple children often find it difficult and feel stressed to see their multiple children going through developmental phases and stages that they feel puts the entire family into disequilibrium. In either situation, it seems as if the sheer joy of parenting is lost and the focus is on the negative.
Finding the joy can often be as simple as shaking up the everyday routine. It may involve ditching the regular plans and going out to play in the snow, heading out for a hike, or doing something together that really builds up the connection and love between everyone.
This is not to “ignore” behaviors you find challenging within your family, but is to give you a chance to hit a “reset” button. Sometimes we all, even as parents, need this second chance to bring the stress and negativity in the home down and to remember why we love being together. Connection is always a key, and so is to find that joy in being together.
There is also something wonderful about having the ability to “change” the patterns that are developing within your own family – to really harness that and capture it and take it under control. What patterns can you identify in your family and how can finding joy together help reset those patterns into something healthier for the entire family?
Blessings and joy,
Carrie
The Parenting Passageway 
Oh Carrie this is so true. We are struggling at the moment with two children both in the pre-birthday disequilibrium – one turning 2 and one 4. But, oh the tantrums and fighting, even though I know there is a developmental reason for it, are doing my head in. Just yesterday we were considering not going to church as they were behaving so badly at home; but then at the last minute we decided to go anyway as I insisted we got out of the house. While our almost 2 was still frightful at church and had to be taken out because he was screaming through the sermon (he didn’t want his sister to have any of the five! cars we carry in the church bag); the whole mood when we got home again was much improved.
This is so important Carrie, and I’m glad you’re talking about it! We busy mamas can get so caught up in what needs to get done and how to get it done – and forget why it matters in the first place! The joy, love, and connection in our families matters most.