Repeat After Me {Mindful Mothering Mondays}

Some days I wish there was a button.  Not an "easy" button, the one in all those commercials.  No, I want a button to press to put things on repeat.  Just so I can stop and catch my breath.

Some nights I'm just so exhausted.  Sometimes it's physical, but more often than not, it's mental.  I am mentally exhausted.  From keeping track of everything and being in charge of the lives of six other people, yes.  But more than that.  I'm so very tired of saying the same thing over and over and over.

Before I became a Mom, it never occurred to me that something like repeating myself could actually wear me clean out, but it does.  It's as if I have the same 50 or so conversations over and over and over again.  I've got them memorized now.  Comforting the child who got hurt jumping on the couch that I have told him a thousand times not to do.  Reminding everyone to brush their teeth, buckle up, make their beds, be kind.  "If you are hungry, have an apple."  I say that one at least a billion times a week.  "Keep your hands to yourself." "We're having dinner in a half hour.  Just wait."  "You picked a movie.  It's her turn." All those little things that make up a day here.  A repeat button would be downright handy.  I could just record myself saying all of these things once, and someone could just hit the button while I do anything else.  Because sometimes just saying the same things over and over is so draining.

But that repeat is a required part of raising kids, isn't it?  Repeating and repeating and repeating lays the framework for their lives.  Their habits and values are meant to be shaped by their parents in these formative years. I may feel like I'm having the same conversations a thousand times over, but my repeats are like flash cards or spelling drills.  Eventually they will be memorized, adopted and, hopefully, embraced.

So often the  exhausting things about parenthood aren't the things that we can see.  Not necessarily the bookshelf he emptied onto the floor last week, or a particularly bad stomach bug.  Sometimes it is just the bone deep exhaustion of training a brain until it's ready to take over on it's own.

For now I'll say "i before e except after c and when it says 'a' like in neighbor and weigh" a million times over, as well as "wipe your feet!" and "look both ways!" And while these might not be the most exciting words I speak during my life, they may be the most important ones.  My words on repeat shaping 6 future adults.  That's big.  That's important.

But I'd still really like that Repeat button.

{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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