- Before critiquing, correcting, or criticizing I will ask myself, “Is this really an issue or is it just annoying me?” (Endless potty jokes – I’m looking at you.)
- I will remember when they’re cackling like deranged maniacs instead of eating their lunch (despite being asked to sit still and chew no less than 37 times) that one of my biggest dreams in life was a house full of giggling, joyful, healthy kids.
- When they ask to do something that is messy, time-consuming, or will take actual effort to setup, I will stop, count to 3, and ask myself is it really not feasible, or do I just not feel like dealing with it.
- I will remember that someday soon they will not be dying to hang out with their mother.
- I will remember that just as giving my children boundaries and reasonable, age-appropriate expectations is not going to break their spirit, letting a few things slide in the name of being a preschooler is also not going to create self-centered and co-dependent adults.
- I will remember that my friends have dirty houses just like mine – they’ll barely even notice it, let alone judge me for it.
- I will remember how special I can make my child feel simply by stopping in the middle of what I’m doing, making eye-contact and listening for 3 minutes.
- I will remember that a little silly goes a long way.
- I will remember to pick them up even when I’m tired and my body is sore because it won’t be long before they’re too big for piggy back rides.
- I will remember that there was no such thing as “a Pinterest Mom” when I was a child, none of my friends ever had a sensory box in their home or a bento box for lunch, yet we were still happy and fulfilled.
- I will remember that running is a young child’s natural mode of transportation.
- I will remember that the sun is up longer, we don’t have school to be up for in the morning, and bedtimes can be adjusted, nudged (and occasionally ignored all together) accordingly.
- I will listen more, speak less, and remember I want my kids to feel heard so that they will continue to talk.
- I will remember I only have 13 summers left with all 3 of them.
- I will remember it doesn’t have to be perfect… If we’re late, or it rains, or someone gets sunburned and we only make it to see two of the animal exhibits in the entire zoo, it’s OK because what my littles will remember most is not where we went or even what we did, but how I made them feel.
- I will remember that, like a subconscious tick, all children put their hands in their mouths CONSTANTLY – reminding them to wash their hands often is helpful, telling them to stop sucking on those hands over and over is an act of futility.
- I will remember that it’s only dirt and grass – it will come out. And if it doesn’t that’s OK because they’ll grow out of it in 6 weeks anyway.
- I will remember that I am not perfect, that I will fail in all of this (probably daily) but I am trying and “the summer of yes” can begin anew each and every day.
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