“It’s only later – when I look back at how my impatience makes everyone feel rushed and stressed, that I regret not taking the time to slow down for my children.”
mariska, bipolar mum
I’ll be the first to admit it, sometimes I treat life – and motherhood – as a race. Recently, my seven year old daughter asked me to play a game with her. Exhausted after a long day at work, and looking forward to putting my feet up and watching Netflix, I hurried her off to bed instead.
When she dragged her feet, asking me to stand beside her while she brushed her teeth, I told her I’d come up once she was in her pyjamas and ready to be tucked in.
I wasn’t being mean… but I wasn’t being kind either.
Later that night, sitting on the couch, I realised that it wouldn’t have hurt me to spend an extra 20 minutes with my precious daughter. I could have spent time laughing with her while she brushed her teeth. I could have let her choose the book to read – rather than picking the shortest one I could find. I could have spent time asking her about her day and listening to her while she prayed for everything she could think of – rather than quickly reeling off a standard goodnight prayer.
Motherhood isn’t always easy. It’s a constant choice to put someone else’s needs before your own. And sometimes I get it wrong.
I’m the first to admit that I sometimes treat motherhood like a race. I’m so used to working fast in my workplace that I come home and expect my kids to respond just as quickly as my colleagues.
I hurry them through dinner, then get them to do their homework as quickly as possible. I shower rather than bathe them (because it’s quicker) and then get them into bed as quickly as possible.
It’s only later – when I look back at how my impatience makes everyone feel rushed and stressed, that I regret not taking the time to slow down for my children.
Tonight, as I tried to tuck my little girl into bed and she jumped on the bed instead, I started to tell her to “hurry up”. But then I caught myself and tickled her instead – much to her delight. And you know what? I haven’t missed those 5 minutes at all…
Mariska xx
Do you find yourself rushing through life? Always hurrying? What are your tips for slowing down?
bipolar mums 
I related to this post!!! I do the same thing – so much so that I blogged about it here as a “disease”as well, and I call “Get-it-over-with-itis” 🙂
https://proudlybipolar.wordpress.com/2013/12/29/i-am-bipolar-i-am-blessed-with-it-and-get-it-over-with-itis/
As far as tips go, I’m still struggling and don’t have any great answers yet. I’d love feedback from others because it’s such a big issue in my life.
Great post as always!
So wise! Slowing down is so important, especially for us moms.
So true Kit…. Hard to do but it really pays off in the long-run!