Slow Down, Mama {Mindful Mothering Mondays}

It's Monday morning here and I'm already starting the self-sermons.  Slow down, Mama.  Calm down.

Sure, you forgot to run the dishwasher last night, and there are no clean bowls for cereal.  Calm down.  It's going to be alright.

Sure, there is co op tomorrow and Ben hasn't done any of his homework, just brought it all out and dropped it on the table and you can see your dreams of a nap with the baby this afternoon winking out, just like that.

Sure, Sunday is a day of rest but it is always a shock to wake up to what truly taking the day "off" does to a small family home with a half dozen kids.  It's alright.  Slow down.

The truth is, ranting and raving and rushing through today actually won't get anything done quicker.  It won't make the house cleaner. If get those kids' moods to match my own, we'll just grumble through it together at an agonizingly slow pace.

Cheerful children get more done.  Happy homes feel warmer.  Take a deep breath and smile.  A smile goes a long way on a rough morning.

So I'll light a candle in the middle of that dining room table covered in laundry and school work.  I'll make the hot chocolate they've been begging for after lunch.  I'll put the baby in the carrier and fold and fold and fold that laundry until it's done and she sleeps.  I'll read "Go Train Go" 5 times to Peter.

I'll slow down and try, really truly try, not to sweat the small stuff.  Because life is made up of small stuff.  Life happens in the interruptions.  Without human error and creativity, life would just be an efficient machine of clicks and whirls, completely devoid of meaning.

So I'm saluting Monday, slow, messy Monday, from my perch here - sleeping baby on my still-pajama-ed lap, coffee cup in hand.  Take it slow, take it easy.

All is well.

{It's Mindful Mothering Mondays, a day to take a deep breath and write out your mothering journey, whatever form it takes. A day to link up for encouragement from others who are in this same phase of life. A day of writing out the trials and triumphs and what you're learning right where you are, right now. You might post recent struggles or thoughts. Maybe just a picture or a quote. Or maybe you'll just come here and read the links that others post. Whatever form your participation takes, this is a day for you. We are all in this, together. Together, we can encourage and build one another up, be honest with our shortcomings and strengthened by community to keep fighting the good fight.
I chose Mondays because what Mama doesn't need a little encouragement on a Monday? As such, I'll have the link up ready to go on Sunday night for you to begin submitting your links.

I hope you'll meet with me each Monday! Here's what to do ~

Link up your post below. Remember to put the link to the exact post you want to link, and not just your blog url. Include in your post a link back here so others who want to join in can find us! And visit some other Mamas who have linked up.

Post the community graphic within your post, so people who are reading your Mindful Mothering post can come back here and find the rest of us!

Invite the writers of your favorite blogs to join in!

Share this meme with others on facebook and twitter. This community is for all moms, and the more that participate, the more we will be able to enjoy!!}

Grab the graphic here:

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