Looking In The Mirror

This weekend I've been thinking a lot about my reactions to different situations.

I  consider myself a patient person. I am not easily angered or stressed. I don't have a short fuse and I can usually handle a tough situation with a smile.

But being a mama, as any one knows, is a continuous testing of your patience.

One thing that consistently will make me growl.

Yes, I hate to say this, but I make a growling frustrated noise when it happens.

Is when something gets spilled and makes a huge mess either by me, Joey, or the kids.

This gigantic frustration comes from the fact that I clean up (dishes, toys, clothes, etc.) all day every day and a spill is just one disaster that usually requires a bit more of a clean up. The spill and then whatever it was spilled on (carpet, couch, rug) usually needs a little TLC as well.

Not until recently, though, did I realize how ugly my reaction was.

Yesterday as we were leaving for the park I was helping Bellamy put her baby in her stroller. With my purse on my shoulder I bent down to strap her baby in and one of the snack containers fell out of my purse. Goldfish went everywhere! 

I growled. Completely at myself, but I made my frustrated noise. 

Once we got to the park, the kids and I were sitting on the grass. Jojo dropped the snack container and the Panda Puffs spilled all over the grass.

He growled.

In that moment I realized how influential my reactions to things are on my kids. 

My heart actually sank a little.

It sank because I didn't like the way he was reacting, but I knew that he was just doing what he had learned from me. 

It was like looking in the mirror and not liking what I saw.

 I know that I can't react perfectly in every situation, but what I can do is be more aware of how I am reacting. 

Because, really, a spill is a complete accident and not that big of a deal. 

Jojo and Bellamy's little minds and hearts are soaking up every emotion and feeling from life's situations. As their mama I feel it is my job to not shield them from the gamete of emotions, but to teach them the most positive way to handle things.

Kids need to be exposed to all range of emotions. Having things be happy all the time creates a false sense of reality just as much as having reactions always be extremely negative in tough situations causes a false sense of reality in the other direction.

Life is all about balance.

Being a mama makes that even more important as I have two little eyes, ears, and hearts listening and watching and loving every move I make.

Here are some pictures from our weekend.

First time shopping at a second hand kids store...success!

Helping me make pom pom balls :)