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"Who wants fish and pancakes for lunch?!" I gleefully called to my two boys, almost four and two. It was in that moment that I realized I was desperate.
I was selling this odd lunch like a hot dog peddler at a ball park.
The pancakes were leftover from breakfast, the fish leftover from dinner. Served on paper plates while I tried to find my countertops. I was pretty sure they were a pretty beige color, but at the moment all I saw were dishes, stacked at least a foot high.
When I was a child there was a running joke that my ability to stack dishes defied the laws of physics. All I could think in that moment was "Look mom, I’ve now become a professional."
Rewind…
The morning was spent almost entirely on dealing with a feisty toddler. There were tantrums and whining sessions and a general feeling of unruliness. And let’s face it, I was feeling sorry for myself.
It was lunch time already and the only thing I had to show for myself was a sofa that had finally been found underneath the laundry pile and a toddler who was finally willing to listen.
At least for now.
In that moment I had a choice. I could be thankful that the morning was spent refining both my son’s spirit and my own. Or I could continue to feel desperate and peddle pancakes and fish.
I prayed. Seems like my toddler wasn’t the only one who needed an attitude adjustment.
It occurs to me that most of the problem with my "hard" days is a lack of proper priorities and unattainable expectations. The most important job we, as mamas, can do is to allow that tension and hardship of the parent-child relationship to refine both us and them. The to-do list can wait.
And let’s be honest; the to-do list never really gets completed anyway. At least not in our home.
Oh and just because I had an attitude adjustment doesn’t mean we had a change in menu. We ate fish and pancakes for lunch, and actually it was kind of good. Especially served with a little less attitude and heaping side of gratitude.
I think that’s going to be my new mama mantra: a little less attitude, a lot more gratitude.
7 Responses to A Little Less Attitude, A Lot More Gratitude: My New Mama Mantra
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Thanks for the reminder! I forget far too often that as the mom, I can be the thermostat, not the thermometer, setting the tone for the day, even if it’s a tough one.
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absolutely. i’m constantly needing to remind myself of this.
(and at least your sofa is clear! finishing ANY task these days is a feat:)
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I’m glad to know my counter isn’t the only one that gets stacked miles high in dishes.
Thanks for the reminder for the attitude adjustment!
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I’ve been having MANY of these days with my 2 1/2 year old son lately. Mostly I just want to cry.
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That’s such a great reminder. Usually I think of how I could have been a better mother long after I put my kiddo to bed. I think if I made an effort to remember in the midst of our day, we’d have a lot more fun and growth!
As far as fish and pancakes, it reminds me of a very traditional Pennsylvania dutch dish. Chicken and waffles-You lay waffle down, cover it with mashed potatoes, shredded chicken, and smother in gravy. I’ve always wondered how that odd combination came about. Perhaps it was another ingenious mom having a long day.
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I love your little glimpse into reality. I, personally, have been focusing so much on the nutrition of my family that if I let the quality times pass away I am really not accomplishing much. Thanks you for sharing.
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i so appreciate your words!!! i agree, and am thankful for the reminder … the refining process vs. the list of to do’s. keeping first things first. thank you!! =)
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