Have you ever found yourself saying the same things over and over to your children, only to realize that you should be saying those words to yourself? I know I have. Sometimes I really need to listen to what I'm saying and apply it to myself. Things like:
Life's not fair, Princess. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something. It's a paraphrased version of a quote from The Princess Bride, and I really should be telling it to myself when I get bent out of shape.
It's almost suppertime. You don't need that snack. Ugh, I'm the one that really doesn't need that snack.
Everyone has to do things they don't like. Like get up before the sun just to have a head start on the kids.
Do I look like Johnny's mom to you? No? Then why am I always comparing myself to her?
No complaining! Venting is one thing, but do I really need to find more things to grump about?
Go outside and play. It's a beautiful day - I should enjoy it!
I know you don't want to, but you need to ... change that diaper, wash those dishes, mop that floor, do that laundry, get up with the sick child for the 4th time tonight ...
Clean your room! Seriously, how can I expect their rooms to be tidy when mine is the dumping ground for the rest of the house?
Work it out. I need to not freak out or stress about it. I need to just work it out.
Use your words. I need to remember not to fester, whine or feel sorry for yourself. I should talk to those around me and find a solution to the issue.
Be patient. Be patient with my kids, be patient with my husband, be patient with the pace of what's going on around me.
Put your phone away. Yeah ... enough said.
Listen. I need to listen and really hear the voices of those around me. I need to let the sound of the morning birdsong sink into my soul, and the chirp of evening spring peepers lull me to sleep. I need to let those around me in so that I can give back to them.
Life's not fair, Princess. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something. It's a paraphrased version of a quote from The Princess Bride, and I really should be telling it to myself when I get bent out of shape.
It's almost suppertime. You don't need that snack. Ugh, I'm the one that really doesn't need that snack.
Everyone has to do things they don't like. Like get up before the sun just to have a head start on the kids.
Do I look like Johnny's mom to you? No? Then why am I always comparing myself to her?
No complaining! Venting is one thing, but do I really need to find more things to grump about?
Go outside and play. It's a beautiful day - I should enjoy it!
I know you don't want to, but you need to ... change that diaper, wash those dishes, mop that floor, do that laundry, get up with the sick child for the 4th time tonight ...
Clean your room! Seriously, how can I expect their rooms to be tidy when mine is the dumping ground for the rest of the house?
Work it out. I need to not freak out or stress about it. I need to just work it out.
Use your words. I need to remember not to fester, whine or feel sorry for yourself. I should talk to those around me and find a solution to the issue.
Be patient. Be patient with my kids, be patient with my husband, be patient with the pace of what's going on around me.
Put your phone away. Yeah ... enough said.
Listen. I need to listen and really hear the voices of those around me. I need to let the sound of the morning birdsong sink into my soul, and the chirp of evening spring peepers lull me to sleep. I need to let those around me in so that I can give back to them.
What do you find yourself saying to your kids or to others that you should really be saying to yourself?
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Haha - put your phone away is a good one! I have to tell my teen that about 20 times a day but sometimes I need to tell myself that! This is a great list and it's amazing how many of the things we tell our kids that can apply to us.
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it, I should really be telling this to myself also. I love this post!
ReplyDeleteHaha - I love this. I'm always finding situations where I should be taking my own advice. I'm sure that will multiply by 10 once I have kids.
ReplyDeleteI know these are things I'm going to have to be thinking about when my little one is growing up too. I can definitely see myself being the same way with a lot of those things.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I think this applies to everyone that ever gave advice to a friend/child. It's important that we all practice what we preach :)
ReplyDeleteI love this list!! Its crazy how we don't practice what we say sometimes to kids and adults.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how quickly we forget what life is really like! I think this post is just perfect though, thank you for bringing such a unique view on it! :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny when we all give advice, it seems the best person we can give it to is ourselves! Perhaps it is an omen that way!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Some of these really hit home. It is so much easier to say some of these than actually do them.
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic and I feel the exact same, I could say half of these to myself too. Lol. Especially the snack one. I'm notorious for telling my kiddos nope dinner is soon and then stuffing myself before its time to eat!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really great list. I never thought about some of these in terms of advice I should be taking in addition to giving. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I never thought about it this way but you're so right! Thank you for the reality check!
ReplyDeleteI need to be telling myself some of these things as well! Especially the "everyone has to do things that they don't like" I need to remind myself of that one more often, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteWow this post is spot on! I should be telling myself every single one of those things! This was really well written, I love the perspective you took on this post! Thanks for sharing I needed to read this :)
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that these are totally things we tell our kids but we should be telling ourselves them. I love the "Listen" and "Clean your room." This was an awesome post to read. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI do not yet have kids but I can only imagine what you've shared.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right on target! I should be telling these things to myself!
ReplyDeleteYou get what you get and you don't throw a fit. Used it with my kids and now with my daycare kids.
ReplyDeleteYes! I use a variation - Take what you get and don't get upset. I should add that to the list!
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