Having a Restful Nest | When Life Gets Hectic

Some days you think having a restful nest is out of reach.
Life with the littles is so hectic you want to ship everyone to the moon.
Here’s hope and a few helpful ideas!

 

 

Having a restful nest is for the birds.

Every mom has those days, when you’re sure only the birds can have restful nests.

You know, days when the toddler sneaks out the back door while you’re in the middle of something you can’t stop with baby.

And you know she’s probably running away because 1. you gave her the stink eye when she made too much noise while you were on the phone with your husband’s client, and 2. you’re potty training her and she probably has some urges she’s ignoring.

But baby comes first, and you know the dog and the fence will keep sister safe for awhile.

Finally baby is peacefully tucked away and you can go find sister. You see her blond head sparkling in the sunshine, bobbing just above the pea plants in the garden.

You smile because she’s chewing on the whole pea pods, and lazily stoop to pull some weeds in the flower bed on your way to coax her to the potty.

Then

your smile freezes. You almost stepped in it. Yup. It is not the dog’s doo. It is unmistakably human from a tiny rear end.

Your headache comes on in a whoosh as you grab sister to check for damages.

 

 

Mama bird’s solution – kick the littles out.

Those are the days moms have

that make them wish they could ship their littles away to outer space or at least to grandma’s.

 

That’s what people did, back in 1912 or so. The USPS had lifted the limit on mailing only parcels up to 4 pounds, so people were shipping everything.

Including their children.

One little girl named May got shipped 70 miles with a couple of stamps stuck to her coat. Probably not because mom was mad.

Rather, parents felt safe doing it, because mailmen did everything in those days, and they were dependable. “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”  They almost became part of the family. In May’s case, the mailman was family. A cousin, or something.

May’s story made headlines then, and someone even authored a children’s book, named “Mailing May.”

After a couple of years a law put a stop to mailing any living things besides bees, chicks and plants, and those only under certain circumstances. Someone claimed a little girl named Maude was mailed under the label “chicks.” That may be fake news, though.

Finally, we bring you the ways:

So, while your days as mom will have a few hectic moments,

you’re not allowed to put sis in a sack with a stamp and send her aboard USPS airmail.

What you can try is one or more of these things to get your little nest to a more restful place:

1. Cuddle.

   It’s not easy giving up your agenda, especially when you need to start dinner because the big coming home will be tired and hungry, too. But sometimes, it’s so worth it to collapse on the couch with your littles and just cuddle. Tickle, talk and touch. Do what they want, and only what they want, for fifteen minutes. Somewhere in there tell them when you’ll need to get back to work. Updates like that make the transition easier when you do get back to adulting.

2. Plug in the essential oil diffuser.

   Lavender is known to have a calming effect, while patchouli is big for grounding and centering. Spearmint stimulates, but it also relaxes the respiratory and nervous system. I have only lately begun to learn about essential oils. Watching the effect on my son’s family has made me want to try them.

3. Do something new.

   So maybe you bought a toy or something for the next birthday. When circumstances demand special action, pull that toy out of hiding. Then make it a fascinating adventure to all discover this new thing together. Connected families are happy families.

4. Imitate Princess Kate.

   Okay, I know what you’re going to say. Princess Kate can be perfect because she’s a princess and has nannies and cooks and…  I don’t know what she has for helpers, but one action she has is all hers. When one of her children needs her, she bends her knees and balances on her fancy heels and talks to the child eye to eye. Her attention is focused solely on that child, and the parade has to stop for her to have that one on one time.

5. Ask yourself some questions:

   is anyone hungry? hangry? wet? tired? sore? If any of the questions get a yes, your solution is easy. Take care of that problem and rest will return. That’s simplistic, but sometimes simple works.

6. Ask yourself some questions.

   No, this isn’t an exact repeat of the above question. Ask yourself if you are happy. What kind of attitude do you have? Do you need to adjust some thoughts? Change some habits? When you are happy and in a good heart place, your happiness will rub off on your littles.

7. Acquire good habits.

   This is partially suggested by number 6. But good habits include doing things in a timely manner; having a schedule yet not losing it when the timing goes awry; and planning healthy meals. Don’t try to do everything perfectly. Just try your best, then cut yourself slack so you stay happy!

8. Plan a safe, restful nest.

   When your children are toddlers and babies, your home should be baby proof. Create safe spaces by keeping electrical cords out of reach, using locks on cupboard doors, putting plugs in electrical outlets and so on. When your home is safe enough so you don’t have to worry excessively about accidents, you will be more relaxed, and your children will catch that from you.

9. Respond rather than react.

   Your littles are little. They aren’t mature with the ability to judge and respond accordingly. They react. To stress, hunger, tiredness. Don’t react to their reactions. Respond with thoughtfulness, kindness, and caring. Be the adult.

10. What to takeaway:

    Children can be bears to be around, babies can cry too much, toddlers can be naughty. But remember that how they act is not who they are. Children will sense negative expectations, and begin to act accordingly. They need to feel you believe in them, and you don’t judge them by their worst moments.

 

Yay! You now have the keys to happiness!
Did you make it to 10 ways to have a restful nest?

Until next time,

Love, Kim & Dorothy