How to Climb the Stairway to Success

I’ve been watching Liam for the last two weeks. We’re letting him play on the stairs (meaning when we’re going up, we try to let him climb up with us). One day, last week, I noticed that he would place his hands on the first step, but then hesitate to go further. I stood right with him, to encourage him, but he just wasn’t feeling it.  I began to think about what must have been going through his head. Where the stairs luminous to him? Perhaps, he felt afraid of the height. Maybe he remembered (this is a far stretch) that once he took so many steps he’d be stuck and wouldn’t know how to get back down. He would always climb two or three, and look back down and STOP!

I usually give in, and pick him up to go the whole way.

In the previous days, especially when daddy returns home, he’s super excited to at least try to climb. Maybe he’s ready to get a break from me?! Lol I concur! On Thursday, he actually did it. He took one step at a time, and he never looked back down. He was focused, and he was moving fast! Of course, we cheered him and celebrated. Today: the same thing. “Come on Liam! Let’s go!” He would scream and giggle, and up he went! I don’t even think he looked down for one glance.

So, you know where I’m going, right? Your goals are in front of you, and you know that you can get there. Sometimes, you’re halfway up the stairs, but you stop and look back. You may be thinking that it would be much easier to just stop and go to what’s more comfortable at the bottom. It’s safe, its level, there’s more room there, and it’s easy.

YOU’RE ALREADY HALFWAY THERE! Stop turning around, and push forward. If no one else is, I’m here cheering you on! You have the power to do it, and you’re already equipped with everything you need to make it to the top. Allow your passion, determination, and focus to keep you moving up. You are going to reach your goals…they’re just a few steps away! : )

Derail your stress with a sick household

I could scream. I really could. Liam’s allergies have overtaken him and this ENTIRE house! Even when you think you’ve got things under control (maybe even your own sanity)…think again. Oh, and let’s add, on top of that, your wonderful DH comes home, “Ugh, I’m not feeling well. I think I have what you had earlier.” The downward spiral begins:

• You’re work, that used to feel like “eight” hours, is now doubled.
• No help from hubby.
• Baby screaming or yelling; either way there are no words coming out, so it’s charades.

I mean, must I go on!

Here are a few tips to help you during quarantine:

1. Give your routine some breathing room. You will stress out if you try to keep up with your daily schedule. Babies like to cuddle more when they’re feeling down.
2. If she’s available, call and let them babble with grandma. Grandmother’s have a special power that seems to make the whole world a better place. Note: Be careful, she will probably try to come and take over your house, if the baby doesn’t recover soon! lol
3. Get amble rest. The sick baby charade is mentally and physically draining. Try your best to get a full night’s rest. Just as with any other “job” in motherhood, rest will help you think better, feel better, and respond better.

On that note, I’m out of here!

Overcoming the Overwhelm of Motherhood

It’s been awhile blog world, but Liam is sleeping, so I thought I sneak over to you with some empowering words!

The last two weeks have been quite chaotic to say the least…the positive thing is that it’s “mostly” good stuff!

Well, what happens when it’s not so good? What happens when your mind is spinning in circles, your kids are spinning around YOU in circles, your boss is TALKING in circles, and oh DH, he’s doing it too?! Are you screaming yet? I AM! (chuckle)

Here are a few pointers that I encourage you to put in your purse (or diaper bag) for those overwhelming days! At some point in your life, they will all apply.

(1) BREATHE! Your situation looks much worse than it really is. Even in the middle of your WORST day, take a mental escape. Even if it has to be on the white throne…yes, that one made of ceramic or porcelain. You know what I’m talking about. DO IT!

(2) ”Tink happy toughts, Peter Pan!” – This pointer is coupled with the white throne mental escape. Always keep in mind the ONE thing that can make you fly. What are thoughts that always put a smile on your face, and cause you to feel and respond to others in a more relaxed way? If it’s a picture: put it on your desk. If it’s a small gift, a first drawing from your toddler: wear it, hold it, keep it close, so you can refer to it. The quote above came from Hook (Robin Williams); ironically, Peter Pan’s happy thought that finally made him fly again…were his KIDS!  ; )

(3) Just remember, nap time is not far away! This one is self-explanatory, mommy.

Constance Grant, certified life coach for new mothers, helping them EMBRACE their B.L.B. (baby, life, and body).

Progess is still progress, even if its slow…

Of course, as usual, Liam needed a mid-morning snack, so I set him up and prepared his food. I decided to take a peak in his mouth, and Viola! They finally poked through. The two new teeth at the top, that is. I believe these are called the lateral incisors.

He’s already been eating like a grown man with the first four teeth, so I can only imagine where this will go. Now, when the bottom two laterals came in early last week, they shot up pretty quickly! I could tell the top ones were coming, but what was taking them so long?

And that’s what made me think of you, dear reader.

Progress is still progress, even if it’s slow.

I know that you have a LIST of items that you are waiting on, that need to happen “right now”. Even though it may appear to be in a static state, it’s not. Just because you don’t see your plans progressing quickly, and all of your efforts seem to reap no return, they will.

Just like Liam’s new teeth: I could see them coming, and I knew they’d eventually show up, but I didn’t know when. And of course, there wasn’t anything that I could do, to make them come any faster.

Just believe that every positive step you’re taking is worth it. And when you finally get a breakthrough, watch out! Things just might start moving along faster than you expect!

Finally, the Fifth Simple Rule for Work-Life Balance

At the end of the day, we, moms, ALL work hard at what we do. Some end the day in bewilderment, and unbelieve that it was super stressing. Others feel a sense of accomplishment that the day is FINALLY over. Whether it’s finally making strides on that project at work, or finally washing a load of clothes, it’s ALL work!

Where are you on this spectrum? I’ve had days where I’ve been in both places.

Here’s something that I emphasize to my clients: “Whatever you’ve done today, appreciate yourself for that and move on!”

That’s the fifth rule: Thank you to ME!

Don’t overburden yourself with everything that didn’t happen, but appreciate yourself for what you did do right. Everyone else does not see or understand the value in what you do. Your spouse may never understand (unless you get a mommy day! ; ). Your children will usually never understand until they have children (so stop holding your breath on that one).

At the end of your day, whether you consider that when you leave the office, or when you’ve but everyone to sleep; take a moment and thank yourself for the work you’ve done. You DESERVE it!