Tuesday Talk!
HI! Happy Tuesday!!
Hope your week is off to a great start!!
Sooo..yesterday morning- the plan was to go to the gym in the morning. We belong to a YMCA and they have an amazing childcare center that is in included in our membership! The kids get to play and I get to work out- it's a great set up.
Well- it was a big day- because it was Marshall's first time going to childcare center!!
I wanted to get there by 8:30 am- because after that things start to get really busy and I wanted to have Marshall there when it wasn't super crowded.
Anyway...I am up early like I usually am...get dressed in my gym clothes and then I went to see how my daughters were doing in their room. Minor crisis- one of them JUST DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO WEAR. HA! We figured it out though and then it was time to get James out of bed. Then Marshall woke up- so of course every came along to get him up :)
The morning was going nice and smooth....SO FAR SO GOOD.
Well- then we headed downstairs for breakfast...and I look at the clock and it's later than I thought, so I change breakfast from waffles (that I have to make) to protein bars and fruit (the kids can get their own protein bars).
One of my children was MAD about the change in our breakfast menu. Another one did NOT want to get buckled in his chair for breakfast. A little scream session happened...and I just finally gave up and started feeding Marshall...because the clock was ticking! HA!
Everyone ended up eating breakfast and then it was time to brush teeth. I was still feeding Marshall- and while I am doing that I hear a huge blowout between two of my daughters and LOTS of screaming and tears.
Another daughter comes downstairs to tell me what happened- it wasn't a good situation...so then I talk to my daughter who decided to make some not great choices...which turned into her getting VERY upset...then calm..then WAY upset again...then we finally figured stuff out.
Mind you Marshall is still eating- HA! :)
Everyone finally got their teeth brushed. The girls' hair got brushed and put up- with a bow of course- HA! I got my gym bag packed.
It was time to load up....and it became crazy town again with not knowing where favorite shoes were...NOT wanting to wear shoes...Marshall started screaming because he was in his carseat- and that's not his most favorite place.
All this of this sounds SO SILLY right now- but I am going to be honest with you- yesterday- I was so frustrated and really just wanted to GIVE UP BEFORE WE EVEN LEFT OUR HOUSE!
I was already so exhausted from dealing with so many little "issues" throughout the morning...AND it was raining- so the thought of unloading all 5 kids and walking them into the gym sounded NOT fun.
I came up with a lot of really good reason NOT to go to the YMCA:
- maybe I am just trying to do too much
- skipping a workout isn't a big deal
- you need the morning at home to catch up on laundry and cleaning-
might as well just stay here
- Marshall might cry the whole time in childwatch
The list went on and on....but you know what? I made a decision to not let the crappy morning we had so far- dictate how the rest of my day was going to go. The kids LOVE going to childwatch and I was REALLY looking forward to working out.
I got everyone loaded up, the crying, whining and screaming stopped as soon as I put on Kidz Bopz and everything was all good again :)
God knew it had been a rough morning and there just so happened to be an open parking spot SUPER close to the entrance of the YMCA that was waiting just for us. It was SO nice to not have to make a long trek from our car to the entrance in the pouring rain!
I got the kids all signed into childwatch and went off to do my first workout at the gym since I had Marshall!! It was GREAT. It felt really good to be back and to know that my kids were safe, having fun and being so well taken care of!!
When I went to pick the kids up- everyone was all smiles and Marshall was asleep! He had done great! We headed outside and the rain had stopped. We were able to go to the post office after the gym- which doesn't sound like a big deal- but I was so happy to be able to get something else checked off my list :)
What a difference a couple hours can make!!! The kids' and my mood went from pretty darn yucky to happy and positive in just a couple hours. The change of scenery and little time away from each other was just what we all needed. I am SO glad I didn't GIVE UP before I even left my house.
But you know what- I regularly have to make that decision- am I just going to do what's easy and stay home?? Or am I going to make the effort to load everyone up to go to the pool or to the park or to the playdate we have planned?
99% of the time- even though I might feel defeated and really frustrated- I decide to GO.
And 100% of the time- I am always so happy I made that decision!!
It can just be so hard in those moments leading up to getting out the door where you just want to throw your hands up and say, "is all of this effort worth it???"
And the answer is pretty much always "yes."
I would love to know what you think about all of this...do you struggle with making the effort to get out and about with your kids??
Do you sometimes just want to GIVE UP before you even GET OUT of the house??
If you do- know that I am right there with you!! HA!
But I am also cheering you on....get out the door...make that effort...it is SO worth it!! :)
Hope you have the BEST day!
Okay- now it's time to link up with my favorite ladies!
Just a few things to remember:
Hope your week is off to a great start!!
Sooo..yesterday morning- the plan was to go to the gym in the morning. We belong to a YMCA and they have an amazing childcare center that is in included in our membership! The kids get to play and I get to work out- it's a great set up.
Well- it was a big day- because it was Marshall's first time going to childcare center!!
I wanted to get there by 8:30 am- because after that things start to get really busy and I wanted to have Marshall there when it wasn't super crowded.
Anyway...I am up early like I usually am...get dressed in my gym clothes and then I went to see how my daughters were doing in their room. Minor crisis- one of them JUST DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO WEAR. HA! We figured it out though and then it was time to get James out of bed. Then Marshall woke up- so of course every came along to get him up :)
The morning was going nice and smooth....SO FAR SO GOOD.
Well- then we headed downstairs for breakfast...and I look at the clock and it's later than I thought, so I change breakfast from waffles (that I have to make) to protein bars and fruit (the kids can get their own protein bars).
One of my children was MAD about the change in our breakfast menu. Another one did NOT want to get buckled in his chair for breakfast. A little scream session happened...and I just finally gave up and started feeding Marshall...because the clock was ticking! HA!
Everyone ended up eating breakfast and then it was time to brush teeth. I was still feeding Marshall- and while I am doing that I hear a huge blowout between two of my daughters and LOTS of screaming and tears.
Another daughter comes downstairs to tell me what happened- it wasn't a good situation...so then I talk to my daughter who decided to make some not great choices...which turned into her getting VERY upset...then calm..then WAY upset again...then we finally figured stuff out.
Mind you Marshall is still eating- HA! :)
Everyone finally got their teeth brushed. The girls' hair got brushed and put up- with a bow of course- HA! I got my gym bag packed.
It was time to load up....and it became crazy town again with not knowing where favorite shoes were...NOT wanting to wear shoes...Marshall started screaming because he was in his carseat- and that's not his most favorite place.
All this of this sounds SO SILLY right now- but I am going to be honest with you- yesterday- I was so frustrated and really just wanted to GIVE UP BEFORE WE EVEN LEFT OUR HOUSE!
I was already so exhausted from dealing with so many little "issues" throughout the morning...AND it was raining- so the thought of unloading all 5 kids and walking them into the gym sounded NOT fun.
I came up with a lot of really good reason NOT to go to the YMCA:
- maybe I am just trying to do too much
- skipping a workout isn't a big deal
- you need the morning at home to catch up on laundry and cleaning-
might as well just stay here
- Marshall might cry the whole time in childwatch
The list went on and on....but you know what? I made a decision to not let the crappy morning we had so far- dictate how the rest of my day was going to go. The kids LOVE going to childwatch and I was REALLY looking forward to working out.
I got everyone loaded up, the crying, whining and screaming stopped as soon as I put on Kidz Bopz and everything was all good again :)
God knew it had been a rough morning and there just so happened to be an open parking spot SUPER close to the entrance of the YMCA that was waiting just for us. It was SO nice to not have to make a long trek from our car to the entrance in the pouring rain!
I got the kids all signed into childwatch and went off to do my first workout at the gym since I had Marshall!! It was GREAT. It felt really good to be back and to know that my kids were safe, having fun and being so well taken care of!!
When I went to pick the kids up- everyone was all smiles and Marshall was asleep! He had done great! We headed outside and the rain had stopped. We were able to go to the post office after the gym- which doesn't sound like a big deal- but I was so happy to be able to get something else checked off my list :)
What a difference a couple hours can make!!! The kids' and my mood went from pretty darn yucky to happy and positive in just a couple hours. The change of scenery and little time away from each other was just what we all needed. I am SO glad I didn't GIVE UP before I even left my house.
99% of the time- even though I might feel defeated and really frustrated- I decide to GO.
And 100% of the time- I am always so happy I made that decision!!
It can just be so hard in those moments leading up to getting out the door where you just want to throw your hands up and say, "is all of this effort worth it???"
And the answer is pretty much always "yes."
I would love to know what you think about all of this...do you struggle with making the effort to get out and about with your kids??
Do you sometimes just want to GIVE UP before you even GET OUT of the house??
If you do- know that I am right there with you!! HA!
But I am also cheering you on....get out the door...make that effort...it is SO worth it!! :)
Hope you have the BEST day!
Okay- now it's time to link up with my favorite ladies!
Just a few things to remember:
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- Visit the other links and leave some comment love.
- By linking up to this link party, you give us permission to feature an image on our blog and social media. Proper credit and links will be given!
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- Optional: On social media #TuesTalk as you share your post
- By linking up to this link party, you give us permission to feature an image on our blog and social media. Proper credit and links will be given!
- Remember to link back using the button or text link.
- Optional: On social media #TuesTalk as you share your post
Beth at Our Pretty Little Girls | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram
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Meghan at The Adventure Starts Here | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram
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Bless you! I would have given up:(. I often struggle with that now since we are home so much in the summer when really like you said we just need a change of scenery!
ReplyDeleteYour doing great friend! You always amaze me with your 5 kiddos:)
Oh thank you so much Heather! I don't think I should amaze you-but I definitely appreciate you cheering me on!! :)
DeleteYou are a wonderful mom! All of your effort is so worth it, and your kids are watching your attitude even at their young ages and when you don't think they'll notice. Hang in there and keep your positive attitdue. :) I don't struggle to get out the door with little kids anymore, but I will say our struggle now seems to be getting them to participate or come along on family outings. We have taken the "You don't have a choice" approach and it seems to be working. In the past few days, I have said to them "You will never regret the choice to go to church or to exercise." and "Fake it til you make it." Then sure enough after we do whatever the family activity is, they are all smiles and their attitudes have been refreshed. Hope your day is good!
ReplyDeleteI can relate on a smaller scale. We've been having drama over clothing/shoe choices, leaving during the middle of a favorite cartoon meltdowns and not loving menu choices. It wears me out and I only have one fighting me for now :) Sometimes I call in back up and Kevin will go with us since it's summer or sometimes I just load up screaming kids and our moods all eventually improve. Thanks for the reminder that it's important to get out and about and go with your family. Things aren't always going to be perfect and that's okay. We're headed out to accomplish several things this morning and maybe get a donut - wish us luck :) I love the last picture of your fab five :) Marshall is getting so big!!
ReplyDeleteI love your attitude Justine!!! We have mornings like this often, and getting out of the house is the best thing for us. Change of scenery is sometimes VERY important!!! Have a great day!!
ReplyDeleteThanks friend! I always appreciate so much your encouragement!!
DeleteI am glad you had a better day! I love your positivity and your way of looking at things, very uplifting and inspiring. I find myself giving up a lot of the time, I have a 5, 3.5 and a newborn. I need to keep going and follow your mindset. :)
ReplyDeleteOh Justine this sounds so much like our mornings when we want to get out of the house! Sometimes I get tired just thinking about getting everyone ready and out the door! lol. You do a great job!! And it's nice to know my kids aren't the only ones that act like this :)
ReplyDeleteOh your little ones definitely aren't the only ones who act crazy-if a mom has told you her kids don't do what I described-then I don't think she's telling the full truth-Ha!!
DeleteI feel like I could have wrote this post! Ha! Some days the struggle is real, and you are right, changing scenery is usually helpful. My kids have reached that part of summer where they are fighting all the time and usually they get along well. Just getting out and doing something new has helped with them getting along.
ReplyDeleteJanna -same thing going on at our house!! A change of scenery always makes things better!
DeleteOh my goodness - what a crazy morning!! Way to go mama - you allowed what could have been a crappy day turn into a great one for your family. I am confident your attitude helped carry the day!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this honest look at your morning! It's 100% better to leave the house except for yesterday when I was paged 5 minutes after checking my kids into the childcare because 2 of the 3 were not being kind then we had the longggg walk of shame back to the car at which point I did wonder, why did we leave the house? ha! But we leave because it gives us a great opportunity to practice the fruits of the Spirit and to keep trying when its hard. Thanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post!! I can very much relate! I have 4 kids under 5 and I'm always happy when I push through and put in the effort to get out the door. It helps everyone's attitude to get out and have a change of scenery. Now if only I could find a gym with childcare that would take my kiddos for an hour 😉
ReplyDeleteOh Courtney!! I so wish you could find a gym with childcare too!! Its such a huge lifesaver for me! It's a win-win-the kids and I get my workout done!
DeleteDo you Have a YMCA in your area?? Definitely check them out if you do!
Some of my favorite minutes are right after I've had a break from C, when I've been able to focus on me for a bit before putting my Mom hat back on.
ReplyDeleteOh man, I can totally relate!!! I only have one baby, but it can seem like you're trying to move mountains just to get out of the house. It is always refreshing and encouraging once you do it though, especially if exercise or seeing friends is involved. Glad I'm not alone in this!
ReplyDelete100 times yes! My two kids are older now, but we always went out and did things. I know moms of preschoolers now who are totally holed up in their house- get groceries delivered and everything. They live their lives largely on social media and it's so sad to me and I think their attitude and coping mechanisms suffer for it. Huge fan of getting out there with kids- it's good for momma and good for the kids to learn to work it out and get over their own attitudes/hard stuff. Life is full of times we have to do things we don't want to or do things even when we're not really feeling it. Great lessons to learn!
ReplyDeleteAja- 100% agree with you !! I would be a basket case if I did not get the kids and out of the house! Ha! The Effort it takes to leave the house is always worth it for my mental sanity! :)
Delete