Thankful Thursday - Crash Landing

Yesterday was a looong day! My post on facebook sums it up pretty perfectly I think...
"There is seriously not enough coffee, chocolate or wine in the world today! If anyone would like to buy a toddler, I'll throw in the baby for free!"

It's moments like these that I'm thankful for
After the madness of Christmas week, a week away at my sister's place down in Wagga, and then dinner at Nana's, a play date at my friend's place and a day at pre-school, I fear our first full day and a quarter at home after all that was somewhat of a crash landing for poor Punky.

She is always brattier than usual the day after pre-school but Tuesday was off the scale! The tantrums, meltdowns and outright disobediance had me tearing out my hair. Wednesday was even worse somehow, and I ended up packing us all up early, after Punky refused to sleep, to head over to Mum's place for dinner. I texted ahead to see if my sister E would be home and that we would be there earlier than usual. She asked why. I casually told her I thought it best to head over earlier rather than commit a murder!

Not that I would ever seriously think of harming my children, but I'm sure you all know that kind of sheer frustration that leaves you wanting to walk out the door and sit quietly by yourself for a few days!

Thankfully Punky fell asleep in the car and she was much happier when we got to my Mum's and there was someone other than boring old Mum to entertain her! I was able to sit and have a coffee, and the baby even went off to sleep for me without a problem. I just love going to Mum's house!

After a day like yesterday though, where I seriously struggled to find patience and to practice yelling less and loving more, I think it's important to reflect on the good things that did happen. To be mindful of the things that I am thankful for about my beautiful, yet frustrating toddler.

For instance, I'm thankful that she is such a good big sister. If Zee loses her toy while playing on the mat, Punky will go over and give it back to her, making sure Zee has it firmly grasped in her hand again.

I'm thankful that Punky has such a strong will. Right now, in toddlerhood, her strong will is cause for many battles and meltdowns. However I know that in the years to come, her willfulness will serve her well. It will help her to work hard and achieve her dreams, and it will help her navigate the murky waters of teenager hood, when the only thing between her and giving in to peer pressure will be that strong will. I know it was for me.

I'm thankful for her beautiful smile and wonderful hugs, that she gives freely and without discrimination. I'm thankful for her curiosity and her zest for life, for the boundless energy that oozes from her and never fails to pick me up and remind me why it is that I love being a Mum, even on the shitty days.

As I posted a few weeks ago, there are some days where, while I always love being Mum, I sometimes don't like being a Mum. And when I've had those days, it's so important to then remind myself of the awesome things about my kids and to be thankful for all the things about them that make me smile.

What are you thankful for today?

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Comments

Kylie Purtell said…
What a great post! I know I too get to the end of the day and thing what the hell was that and hope for a better day the next day. Yesterday must have been the day for it because by the end of the day I nearly push Mr 4 out the door when Paul got home from work. They dug out in the garden for a while and Mr 4 came inside with a beautiful rain lily for me and my heart just melted.
Kylie Purtell said…
Loved reading this! Your blog is giving me some insight on what is in store for us soon!
Kylie Purtell said…
You've summed Mummahood up perfectly again here, lovely. I wonder what phase the moon was in yesterday... because literally every single child "owning" person I have spoken to said yesterday was one of those days... X
Kylie Purtell said…
Oh Kylie! Sorry to hear it was a tough couple of days, it is terrible when it all catches up like that isn't it? Can I just say I love love love the way you decided to tackle it. Sending lots of fairy wishes and butterfly kisses your way. Thanks for joining in with #thankfulthursday
Kylie Purtell said…
Sounds like a crazy day, toddlers sure do know where all the buttons are and how to push them! But you're also so right that the traits that make us want to throttle them as 2-year olds are the traits that will see them go far in life...
Kylie Purtell said…
You are so lucky to have someone that you can visit when it all gets to much parenting. I have long wished for a parent or friend I could drop in on unannounced, rather than commit a murder. Instead, I just bundle all my children up and take a drive. Put the music on really really loud to drown them out and my thoughts.
Kylie Purtell said…
I swear toddlers (and teenagers) are just not human. How we get through it at all I will never know. Mothers are awesome! Cheers, Tanya
Kylie Purtell said…
I am thankful my kids want to do stuff outside, have fun, enjoy life. After breaky I braved the supermarket and let my patience at the door, we strolled, shopped and had fun. The girls both had one of those pull/push trolley things with the expendable handle. They're at the neighbours at the mo, playing under the sprinkler, bonus! Better go over there soon :)
Kylie Purtell said…
That was supposed to be extendable handle, and I love going to my Mums house, A break from the norm :)
Kylie Purtell said…
That's a great word for the year Kylie! Good luck with it! And yes, a mindset change is so important when it comes to motivation...Looking forward to following your journey :)
Kylie Purtell said…
OH I hear you Mamma! So great you could still see her gorgeousness through her wilfulness. x
Kylie Purtell said…
Those days where you just want to turf them and never see them again and then feel bad for being mean and short and thinking such things....sigh, the joys of being mum!
Kylie Purtell said…
Solutions is a great word. It is definitely something I need to get in my head. No problems, only solutions is an excellent mindset to have.
Kylie Purtell said…
I probably could have done with a list of intentions actually as I too could have picked a few words. I might do that half way through the year, once things have become a bit clearer.
Kylie Purtell said…
I can't imagine how hard it must be for you guys right now Em. I hope things get better on the work front asap, for both of you. If only we could feed the kids blogs, mine would be so overweight!
Kylie Purtell said…
That's what I think too. There is just something about a new year that makes it nice to look back on the year before and take stock and work out what we want, all over again!
Kylie Purtell said…
I'll cross my fingers for you on the masters degree, that would be excellent! I feel like I am finally ready to take a bit of control back and hopefully 2014 is the year I do it!
Kylie Purtell said…
Ohhh, experience is a good word! I'll be looking forward to seeing how you go with it.
Kylie Purtell said…
That is on my long-term to do list Soph. That, and finally getting a bunch of photo books made up with my photos from the last few years with kids.
Kylie Purtell said…
I totally agree. I hate not knowing what is going on and what's coming next. Being organised certainly helps give a sense of control among the chaos of kids!
Kylie Purtell said…
Either that or I'll crush lots of candy! Lol! Hopefully it's the former though!
Kylie Purtell said…
Thanks Sarah! Following your heart is good, I've found mine has never let me down! xx
Kylie Purtell said…
I reckon patience is something I need to get tattooed on my wrist or something as some days it is just so hard to come by! I love your words from your tagline and in fact I think less housework, more fun is an excellent motto to live by!
Kylie Purtell said…
Another good word. I think I am going to need to persevere a lot this year if I am going to reach the goals I've set for myself.
Kylie Purtell said…
Oh Bec, I know exactly what you mean! I didn't even begin to feel a real sense of normalcy until about the 14 week mark but you will get there, trust me. For us, it was almost like one day I woke up and realised that we had reached this place where things had leveled out and become 'normal'. I pray it works that way for you too.
Kylie Purtell said…
Thanks Lauren! I hope 2014 is an awesome year for you too! xx
Kylie Purtell said…
That's what I was thinking too Emma. I'm gonna give it a red-hot go, that's for sure!
Kylie Purtell said…
Dare, I love that! I certainly am Lisa, and I hope I can carry it through all year!
Kylie Purtell said…
Thanks lovely! It's hard to create a new mindset but I am working and working on it and I am determined not to give up!
Kylie Purtell said…
It's always the way isn't it, they drive you batty and then turn around and do the sweetest thing!
Kylie Purtell said…
How long to go now Angela, must be soon. You will rock it Angela, if I can survive it, anyone can!
Kylie Purtell said…
Yes! It's weird isn't it, everyone seems to have had feral children, I think it must be that come down from the festive season, it's so hard for little people's brains to process it all, I'm sure.
Kylie Purtell said…
Thanks for hosting Rhi! It's definitely important to try and see some joy in the midst of the drear, otherwise I think I would go crazy xx
Kylie Purtell said…
My Mum told me that this is just Punky's way of testing me and the boundaries and that I was exactly the same, if not worse, when I was her age. I think my Mum is secretly enjoying seeing that what went around is now coming around to me!
Kylie Purtell said…
Oh Sarah, it must be hard to not have that support network, I know I would really struggle without it. I hope you find someone you can lean on xx
Kylie Purtell said…
I know! I think toddlers are so shitty in order to prepare us for the shittiness of teenagers. If we didn't already have the toddler skills it would make dealing with teens that much harder I think.
Kylie Purtell said…
Dave has recently discovered the little trolleys you can get for kids at the supermarket and it has made grocery shopping so much better with Punky, she loves to push things around and it also make her feel like she is helping with helps to minimise the meltdowns!
Kylie Purtell said…
She gets me every time, just when I think I could burst from the anger or frustration she turns around and does something that just makes my heart melt.
Kylie Purtell said…
It's such a contradiction isn't it, the biggest one in the world I think! xx
Kylie Purtell said…
I always think of that little rhyme: Patience is a virtue, virtue is a grace and grace is a little girl with dirt all on her face!
Kylie Purtell said…
There's NEVER enough chocolate, wine or caffeine during those early years of motherhood! As Bridget Jones says in her latest book - KBO - Keep Buggering On! And we do...we so do!!!
Kylie Purtell said…
Thank God you had help from your mum!!!
Thankfully we rarely have these days any more which is such a relief! The do pass!
Kylie Purtell said…
I think this most days and it's all I can do to not go out to the petrol station for ciggies and never come back! Except I don't smoke :) It's bloody hard trying to keep your cool, and at times I just want to scream, instead i run away from my children, they think it's a game and we all get over our shit. Or I cry - love ya guts for calling it as you see it!!
Kylie Purtell said…
Sounds like great words for 2014! I hope you succeed. :-)

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