Mornings in our home are quite busy. All five of us are suppose to have morning responsibilities (jobs or chores) to make it go more smoothly as well as to not lay the burden on just one person (ME). Activities include emptying the dishwasher, loading breakfast dishes, feeding and walking the dog, spraying the kitchen counters, as well as starting a load of laundry-first come, first dibs! While they make their own breakfasts and pack lunches, the intention is that they will clean up after themselves too! Oh and I’ve started to workout in the mornings! Also, I work out of the home three days a week so getting out at a precise time is paramount. Needless to say, I can be frazzled!
This morning was no exception. I was coming up from exercising enthusiastically reminding my children of what needed to be done (or as they said, “shouting orders”). My youngest was asking me to head to her room to look at something, and I quickly replied, “Wait a sec…let me do this first.” Well, minutes later I had found 5 things to do…load laundry, fold towels, replenish napkins, put a clean bag in the trash bin, and water the plants. Sophie inquired again as to my whereabouts.
“I got distracted, sweetie, but I’m on my way.”
“You are CHOOSING to get distracted, mom.”
WAIT…WHAT??!!!!
Pause….
Hmmmmm…she’s totally on to something. But first, how did she get SO incredibly insightful at 10 years old. I’ve never use this line on my kids so she didn’t hear it from me!
Point is, she was right! Completely, utterly, 100% correct. I did chuckle because I did not HAVE to do all those things in that moment, but I CHOSE to. My enneagram 1 personality makes me like to have things promptly done and done in a certain way. It is hard for me to walk away from a task that’s not completed, even if it’s not completed in my own mind. But Sophie made me think-How many times have I chosen to be distracted and set myself up to disappoint others, not meet a deadline, or not finish what I could have?
I can honestly say I felt relived in a way when I left my mundane tasks and headed to see what my daughter wanted…proudly wearing her Girl Scout sash. My plants would not have instantaneously died, someone else would have put a clean bag in the trash bin and the towels would have stayed fluffy in the dryer. Thanks for my child, pausing in the moment to consciously decide if what I’m doing is what needs to be done, is what I’m going to work on. And reminding my kids to do the same is powerful! If they can become more aware and reflect themselves, just think about how much time, nagging and stress could be saved and how much productivity could be gained. Sounds simple enough to give a try. Oh, and those towels may stay in the dryer ALL day!
the Essentialist Family 