As Captain Obvious would say, I am an imperfect person. There have times when I haven’t kept my cool and got shrill. It all came from fear. I find that I act out most when something is lacking (usually sleep) or I have overloaded myself (a tendency).
My children are little and deserve a peaceful mother. Raising my voice makes everyone feel crappy. Feeling remorseful about losing my cool is useless if I can’t back myself with more than just good intentions. This is personal work. It isn’t easy to share this with you, but maybe you can relate to my experience?
This is how I have turned parenting blunders into a plan for personal growth. My steps to becoming a better, more worry-free, peaceful human being are listed. It’s been working wonders.
- Let go. Will this matter in a year? Most of the time, my answer is no.
- Be honest with myself about why something is bothering me. What is the actual cause of my worry?
- Do something silly with my babies every day and have a giggle.
- Take care of myself better.
- Prioritize for a peaceful night. This means having dinner prepared so there’s no rush and bath my children early. If they are tired there is no need to race the clock if I am organized.
- Feel good so I’m nice to come home to. For me, this could just be a walk in the garden for 10 minutes with the children to brighten up before bath time.
- Have a cause. It’s amazing how little everyday worries seem to matter when I have an ear to the outside world. Personally, I care about animal welfare so am abreast of issues related to live animal export and factory farming.
Having a cause is good for the soul. - Do something I love most days. I love to play with my babies, cook, bushwalk and sew. Throughout the week, I usually do all of this. Here’s my quick sew for today. Pants for my little girl. I even put my Whistling Kite Collective label on the inside for her. I have a feeling these will be Christened her “bird pants” and there may be a special song involved when she wears them!
Making a gift for someone special is fun and makes them feel important - Don’t try to be an overachiever. Something has to give and it’s usually my sanity.
- Remember that I am exactly what my children need. By just being me, loving and respecting them as the individuals they are, they will thrive.
- Reward myself.
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Whistling Kite Collective 
Great ‘commandments’ to keep your sanity and be the best parent only you can be. I really like the pants for your baby…….mavbe this design will be part of your Whistling Kite Collective to match the bonnets. The single colour of the bonnet for the pants and the design on the pants made from the variegated fabric of the bonnet. I love your bonnets and would purchase the pants, too, as a delightful set for a child. I wish you well with your parenting.