Simple, Sustainable, Slow. Let’s create space for a more mindful and peaceful motherhood, together. Join me for tips to simplify, intentionally build a more values-aligned life, and slow down.
On Thursdays we eat pancakes 🥞
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Hi Reader, I know, I know, routines are boring. We love the idea of spontaneity and being able to go with the flow (or at least some of us do 🙋🏻♀️). But, the moment we have kids, They need a rhythm (and so do we). In reality, building a rhythm is an energy saver. A sanity saver. It makes transitions easier, you eliminate decision fatigue. A rhythm will bring peace to your day. Like our kindy teacher always says, "rhythm replaces strength," you know what’s next, your body feels it, you don’t need to guess or force it. And your kids know it too – and it begins to feel like a flow. And you save time. Lots of it. Once we started a daily rhythm, with a weekly flow and monthly, quarterly, and annual plans, things got easier. I no longer doubted what we were doing when. My little ones understood the expectations.I didn't waste time wondering what I should do with them next or (even worse) what I should do with myself when they were playing by themselves, napping, or at school. As the seasons change, and my not-so-little ones mature, I keep coming back to a rhythm. It looks a lot different than our toddler rhythms and every time I create a new one, I discover areas I need to adjust almost immediately. But a few years into doing this, they still give me the confidence and ease that I need to get what I need to get done (and sometimes what I want to get done). Our transitions are easier. Expectations are set. We have pancakes on Thursdays, my little ones help make them. And with this one clue, they know that it is a homeschool day and we’ll have Zoom stories and games with breakfast. We will go to the skatepark after breakfast to burn some energy, and then they are usually ready (or at least ready to try) to to sit down long enough to get our school work done. They know that Thursdays (pancake days) are usually the days I work on the house. While they don’t love it, they have come to expect it and are less likely to complain about boredom. They know my answer: find something to do or help me with the weeds. You can guess what they choose. This will change as the school year unfolds but for now, it is the expectation. Then we come back together for ”tea.” It’s one of my favorite parts of our days, and really is just a moment of mindfulness and grounding before we start our evening activity – usually hanging out with friends or going to a park to practice whatever sport they are into at that moment. This is another area that will likely change as the school year progresses and there is room for it. A rhythm isn’t rigid. Then dinner, clean up, stories, and bedtime (and all the rituals that come with those). By planning ahead, I’ve built in moments of connection, we have micro-rituals and mindfulness anchors. There is very little confusion about the day. I’ll have time to write this email, my yard will look a little better than it does right now, and there is very little pushback around transitions. It is easier. Our Thursday rhythm: If you haven’t set up a rhythm to your days (and a flow to your week, month, quarter and year), and are looking for a push, please take a look at Rhythm & Flow. It is the system I come back to each season to build the days that work for us. It’s $9 and takes less than an hour to watch (and about that to implement the first time). And if you have a rhythm in place, I’d love to her how it works for you. |
Hi! I'm Jess at Raising Slow
Simple, Sustainable, Slow. Let’s create space for a more mindful and peaceful motherhood, together. Join me for tips to simplify, intentionally build a more values-aligned life, and slow down.
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