Can you remember the first time you saw your child? I can. I remember every single detail from the day Ayva was born. There are some parts of those memories that are more fuzzy than others, but still, I’ll never forget. More than anything, I remember how my every single thought was about her. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her, couldn’t stop snuggling and kissing and gazing at her sweet little face. I was absolutely, 100% in a mommy trance, and it lasted long after I left the hospital!
My how things have changed.
Now, there are so many distractions pulling my attention and keeping me from being fully engaged with my baby girl. I work from home, and she’s only in preschool for 3 – 4 hours a day, so we’re together a lot. There’s a good part of the day, however, where my focus is elsewhere. I know I’m not alone. From moms like me who make a living from being online, to stay at home moms who use social media or television to stay connected to the outside world after a long day taking care of family, so many of us are completely overloaded with tweets and posts and dms and, just…everything! It’s too much!
It’s time to plug in.
Our attention is divided, and our children can feel it. They know they’re only getting a piece of us, and for many children, like my daughter, they start misbehaving or lashing out because they crave the intentional, focused quality time that parents should be giving their children. That’s why, this month, I’m switching things up a bit. May 7th is Ayva’s birthday, which means I’ll be celebrating five years of being a mother! Well 4 whole years going into 5, but you get the picture! I’m taking time to refocus on the blessing of being a mother, taking time to reflect on what it really means, and plugging in more to Ayva, intentionally and wholly.
Will you join the challenge with me? Starting on Sunday, May 4th – Friday, May 30th (and beyond!),Monday through Friday, I’ll be sharing ideas on ways to reflect on motherhood, engage deeper with your children, and get plugged in to your family, Mama! Bookmark this page, and check back on Sunday for a link to Day 1!
Do you need to plug in? Are you able to take the time to be a better mother to your child? Leave me a comment and tell me you’re in!
I’m in!! I love this idea, this movement! I have to split my mommliciousness three ways so I am interested in how I can plug in and be a better mom to them without one of them feeling like they don’t get as much of me as the other two. I’m excited about this!
Awesome, @mandibuckner:disqus! I’m so glad you’re in! You’ll definitely discover some ways to be a better mom during the next 21 days! I’m really glad you’re in!
I have been reading a lot of articles about this idea lately. I am a mother who works at home via social media and writes at her laptop. I don’t have this issue because I arranged my schedule to work while my children are in bed or at school. I don’t instagram or FB during family time. I decided to make family time, family time period and don’t work or use social media during family time. My children know when they are around they are my number one priority. When I am out with my husband I don’t instagram the food and don’t check in on FourSquare. If motherhood and engaging with your daughter and husband are important to you,turn off the computer, put the phone away and stop instagramming dinner. After 21 days, you will have created a habit you will keep for the rest of your life and you will have made your family very happy.
Absolutely, @janeanedavis:disqus! I agree 100%! But, for folks who aren’t instagramming and facebooking, there are still ways to be more present with the family, and that’s what we’re going to get into over the next 21 days. Intentional quality time, where we’re setting goals about how we want our children to feel after interactions with us are just as important as being present. Gosh, I’m so excited! 🙂
Excellent. I can’t wait to learn more. Ready for the challenge.
I think this is a great idea and you are so right. I don’t work FT online, but I do work part time online (that blog life) and I know my children feel and see it. I want to change that!