This morning I woke up and as soon as some semblance of conciousness hit my brain, the negative thought loops started, without any encouragement from me. So I made them stop. And then I made them stop again.
I stretched, the way I read somewhere you should stretch to make waking and getting up easier. Then I stretched some more and focused on my body. I stopped my thoughts again and said, “No, not today, I’m not doing this today.”
I got up, I had a shower. Every time the thinking started, I focused on the soap, on my skin, on the water, on the warmth.
As I was getting dressed, again the thoughts. Again I stopped them. Pull on one sock, pull on the other sock. Planned my strategy for the kids.
In the family room, I opened the blinds. I greeted the monsters. I gathered their clothes from the drying racks, turned off the TV and asked them to follow me to their room and get dressed. They groaned, well, one did, but they did.
Once there, I explained that if they were not dressed by the time I was ready to go I would physically pick them up as they were and put them in the car. There would be no further reminders. I explained all their clothes had to be on.
One got dressed immediately. The other, left alone in his room, followed shortly. Breakfast wishes were expressed without procrastination. Children attended breakfast as soon as it was ready.
It seems that a soldierly approach to children management is what is needed here right now. We were ready and out the door in record time. No whingeing, no delaying tactics, just action.
And no constant negative ruminating in my head.
Once in the car, I annoyed entertained them by loudly reciting spider-themed nursery rhymes all the way to creche and then school. That made me happy. And made them happy (although slightly confused at their mother’s strange and embarrassing behaviour). There were big squishy hugs and smiles all round as I dropped them off.
So, at least for the last three hours, I’ve refused to give in to those awful negative “mind viruses” that have taken residence in my head. I do not like them. I do not want them.
It’s not even 10 am yet. Wish me luck…
Seems like a little routine isn't just good for the kids Dorothy. When those voices start chattering away, a little routine is just what the doctor ordered to make sure your day starts off on the right foot. Here's to having a positive rest of your Monday! Cheers, Lis.
I hope your day continues on the same track! Being in charge of thoughts is something i need to practice too. x
Nothing wrong with the soldierly approach. Hope your whole day continues to be positive, D xx
Go you!
I run a pretty tight ship at our place, especially in the mornings and even more especially when I'm flying solo. My bigs know what is expected and they also know that I have to tend to the little two and I have high expectations of them.
Some days it all goes to shit, because this is real life. But most days they live up to my expectations and it all runs smoothly.
Whether the TV is on or off has a HUGE impact at our place.
*hugs*
I am a big believer that kids need routine. They need it at certain times and they also need free play time. Our morning time is like your soldierly approach. It means less fuss and a smoother morning. You are not alone in your negative thoughts. I deal with them all the time. It can be exhausting fighting them all day and that is not even with all the housework and extra stress on top of it. keep up the great work my friend. N x
Good luck keeping negative thoughts at bay. And hope the positive ones stay true all week and beyond for you. It's so good to focus on them and usually things go smoothly when they do and when the don't just don't think about them. 🙂
What a great way to change your morning and your day! Your positivity would have had a great impact on the way your kids days started!
It takes such discipline to manage those damn thoughts!! Practice makes perfect though. I keep practicing!
Sometimes I need the “soldierly approach to children management” too…I like that!
Luck luck luck! You can do this and just look at the success of your morning to prove it. As you say, you stop them – and then you stop them again. And again. And again. And one day, someday soon I hope, you won't need to stop them because you just don't think like that anymore.
Your new bloggy dress will help I am sure. You look great! x
I have to say that the novelty wore off after one day. This morning was still OK, but the reactions were a bit sloppy. I'll blame it on the extra early morning due to school breakfast and open day.
Loving the new look. And as to thoughts: we are not our thoughts. They come and go. Sounds like you have it sorted!
Keeo it up.
Your mind is powerful, it may try to defeat you but you can do this.
Get out of the house. Go hang places, any places, parks, gym, coffee shops, even go for a (dare I say this evil word…) run. I can't really run, but sometimes I just pretend I can, I may only make 200 metres, but it feels better somehow.
The kids will love knowing the routine too. A good friend has a huge poster on her fridge with the five things the kids MUST do each morning, eat, get dressed, toilet, shoes, teeth. That way they can run back to the fridge if they have forgotten the list of things they need to think about in the morning. Apparently it works amazingly well.
We all believe in you D. You really can do this.