Routine.

This kid had a blast this Easter weekend getting to see people she hasn’t in forever, eating more candy and sweets than she’s normally allowed, and staying up way past bedtime. This mama was and is stressed out because she has a sleep-deprived, sugared up, out-of-routine three year old. Whew.
The balance is so hard. I feel like people think I’m too strict, that I expect too much from her, that I don’t let her have enough fun. But, I’m trying to raise a person. I’m trying to raise a human being who isn’t obsessed with consumerism, who appreciates the simple things, who doesn’t expect anything to be handed to her on a silver platter. I’m trying to raise a woman who knows how to do things for herself, who works hard, who is respectful of others, and who knows how to enjoy things in moderation.

I think most people think, “Well, she’s just three, let her be a kid.” And I do, I promise. But childhood is when kids learn how to be mentally healthy, functional, productive adults. If we don’t teach them the healthy way to interact with their world, in a way they currently understand, they’ll be left to figure it out on their own. I’m building her foundation. I’m planting the seeds. Mamas, it’s important work that God has given us to do. Plus, discipline, structure, and saying “no” from time to time, makes our lives as parents easier in the long run. I promise. It’s hard in the moment, but consistency is key. It will pay off.
So, when our “consistency” goes out the window (2020 anyone?) it makes me nervous. It takes us DAYS to get back into our routine and for her to get back to normal. I know there are going to be times when things happen that are beyond my control (again, I say, 2020 anyone?) and there are obviously times- like holidays, birthdays, etc.- that will make exceptions and be more lax. Because I also want her to love to celebrate. We’re big everyday celebrators over here. But, ugh, it makes me nervous. Like I said, the balance is so hard.

Well, there’s my parenting rant. This thing started out as a caption to an Instagram photo, but, I’m me and I get long-winded. Don’t ask me something and expect a short or straight to the point answer… I’m going to tell you all the things – things you didn’t ask about, things that this thing reminded me of, things I’m feeling about the thing you asked me about, random things I think of, and maybe I’ll tell you the thing you wanted to know in the first place. Maybe. I’m an over-explainer and an over-sharer. And then I’ll have anxiety about it all because I was annoying and talked too much. And I’ll probably agonize over it for months. So there’s that peek into my brain. See: over-sharer.