Slow Down, Momma!

“Hurry up!”

“We have to go!”

“Come on, get in the car!”

These are phrases I say way too often to my three children. On weekdays from sun up to sun down, I feel like we are mentally and physically running a marathon. I often picture the White Rabbit from Alice In Wonderland running around saying, “I’m late, I’m late!” when I think of how I may look to outsiders.

From the time the alarm goes off to making sure everyone brushes their teeth, eats breakfast, etc., I have already checked the clock a few times making sure we aren’t running late and that we are on track to make it to school on time. And sadly, nights aren’t any different. Homework, after school activities, dinner and bath are spent quickly going from one task to the next before tucking the boys into bed.

I don’t want to make my kids stressed or rushed, but I feel like it’s something I fall guilty to much too often. “Hurry up, eat your breakfast!” and “buckle up quickly, please” are things I say each school morning. While reflecting on my own anxieties, I feel that I may be unintentionally making my sons upset and worried for no good reason.

Why are we always in a rush? I know personally, I need to slow down. I’m sure that when I am stressing over the time, it sure isn’t having a positive impact on my sons.

It’s okay if I make the carpool line by the last second.

It’s okay if I let the kids stay up past bedtime every now and then.

It’s okay if I let the kids play a little bit longer in the bathtub at night with their toys.

Time is truly a thief. I know we can all agree that our children are growing up too fast. My oldest is about to turn 12 and my youngest is no longer a baby but a toddler. Before too long, I will wish I had these precious moments back, and I hope to remember the good times and not us rushing around and in a hurry too often.

So instead of making our mornings and nights rushed, I’m going to take a step back and go with the flow. I hope that this makes for a more peaceful and calm environment for my kiddos. Starting now I’m going to try to no longer say “hurry up” and strive to be mindful to slow down. This momma needs to take a chill pill and learn to be more low key.

Do you always feel like you are rushing your kids?

Mary Olivio
Mary is a caffeine addicted boy mom to Noah, Liam and Luke. This “stay at home” mom can typically been found cruising in her minivan, jamming to Beyonce with a Starbucks in hand on her way to carpool or after school activities. Mary has been married to her high school sweetheart since 2007. She is a founder of Delivering Hope NOLA and the Vanessa Wolff Scholarship Fund at her Alma Mater. Mary is passionate in the local preemie community and has been heavily involved with the March of Dimes since her sons Liam and Luke were born premature.

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