A couple of weeks ago, maybe 6 weeks after being married, we invited my mom and nieces out to our house for a Sunday Funday. They met us at church and it had been a tough weekend to say the least. I had held it together pretty well (or so I thought!) until my mom put her arm around me when I sat down at church. …instant tears.
We’re talking snot and red-eyes tears.
All the overwhelm came cascading out and before I knew it, my mask was acting as my tissue. One of my nieces and my youngest daughter (the secretly hilarious one) who were sitting next to me were both suddenly holding my hand and stroking my hair, asking what was wrong.
As she stroked my hair, my 11 year old niece says, “Sometimes it’s hard being a mom, isn’t it?” with the most empathetic look on her face. 🤣🤣🤣
Reality
Truth was, I wasn’t being realistic about my expectations as a new mom. I always assumed it would be cheery days filled with delicious, nourishing, foods and positive, growing relationships… Turns out I get frustrated and yell these days.
Go ahead and have a good laugh because I do it to myself all the time! 😜
You know what though? We turned it around. We made Sunday a day of games, movies, and laughter! I was so at peace by the time Mom and the girls left for home.
Letting the Mess Prevail
Something that seems to work every time with these boogers is letting them have some control. Allowing them to help me in the kitchen might mean more time, more mess, and more cleanup, but it engages them, teaches them, and helps us to bond.
I’m the one with a constantly messy kitchen, with ketchup chunks on the cupboards, and egg chunks on my glass stovetop, but my girls are learning the whys and hows to make good food that will help their bodies have more energy.
Some of our favorite things to do in the kitchen are:
1. Make it a buffet bar and let them add what they want. With stipulations that one thing needs to have protein, or a green, they love being in charge.
2. Quizzing each other on the foods we cook together. Or making it a game. One of our favorite games is “powerade pong”. We fill the cups either with water or powerade (or lemonade) and take turns bouncing tennis balls in to it.
3. Make food for EACH other. I swear these little monsters have the biggest hearts. They JUMP at the chance to make food for me or each other. It doesn’t matter what it is or how much help they need from me, they want to be the one playing restaurant and serving everyone else.
(Speaking of the girls serving food, remind me to tell you how Matthew and the girls proposed to me!)
I need your tips and insight too. Make sure to leave a comment or message me and let me know other ideas, tips, or tricks!
