My Favorite 5 minutes!

My Favorite 5 Minutes!

What is your favorite time of the day? Is there something you do every day that just lights you up and makes you feel good inside? 

Now… let’s get one thing straight. The time I am thinking of IS my favorite time; however, it’s NOT always easy to do, I don’t always WANT to do it, and, well… sometimes it just doesn’t go as you planned. 

My favorite 5 minutes of every day are...

 the 5 minutes just before my kids go to bed!

Well…. maybe not always, but most of the time.

WHAT????  I know you are thinking, “HOW?” How can that be? Yelling at your kids to finish that last bit of homework, pick up that last piece of clothing off the floor, brush their teeth, say their prayers, get into bed, stay there, and ‘no, you can’t have a drink.’ How can that be fun???

Well. One day many years ago I was talking with a friend, a single mother who worked two jobs just to keep her family together. We talked about how hard it was to get our kids to listen to us and to keep a good positive relationship with them. She told me of a tradition that they did in their family. It’s called simply, “five.”

You finally get your child in bed (that’s the hard part!), and then go to him and kneel down by his bed, or crawl in beside him. Take out your hand and say something positive you like about your child, something you appreciate that he has done today, something you love about him. Take careful note of things you have been working on with him or that maybe he is struggling with. For example, if you have been potty training and he made it half the day, you say, “Wow! You were dry all morning! Thanks for paying attention and getting to the bathroom!” Yeah, it’s true he wet right after lunch, but you don’t say a word about that. ONLY POSITIVE.

Having my son ask for “five” is what makes it worth it. The relationship is what builds and is strengthened, and what makes this my favorite time of day. 

As my kids have grown, this “five” has taken on a different meaning. Now it’s 5 minutes to talk about the day. Sometimes I have them share things they liked about their day. Sometimes, we talk together about problems. Sometimes we read a story or do a puzzle. Sometimes they read me their journal. Sometimes “five” turns into “ten.” 

The rule is: no one gets to interrupt. Not eve
n Daddy. With each child, he or she gets undivided attention. And if I’m gone for work or play, they want me to do “five” in the morning.

It’s said that the most important times of the day are the first 15 minutes in the morning and the last 15 minutes before sleep.

Maybe that’s why they are my favorite. 

Thank you, dear friend, for sharing with me what has become a very important tradition in our home! And for making a difference in the lives of these amazing children of mine!

Do things ever get a bit                          --- crazy ---   at your house?

Have you ever...
a) given yourself a 'time out' as a parent?
b) had a child tell you that you needed a 'time out?'
c) started what I like to call a 'negative downward spiral' in your home?
d) all of the above?

My answer? D - all of the above

Let me share about just such a time.

It was Saturday and we were busily attacking the weekly chores so that we could do something fun as a family. Out of frustration and stress I said something on the negative side to my husband . Negative downward spiral started... 15 min later the whole house is in chaos, kids cowering, Daddy yelling, me biting my tongue and thinking...I started this!?!?

Daddy sat down to gain control and here comes my son with his little set of essential oils. He uses them daily to keep his mood and behavior in check and knows they help bring a sense of calm and peace to someone who is angry and stressed. He carefully reached out and handed them to Daddy, "Here, use my oils so you don't have to be angry." I smiled, hesitantly, not knowing how Daddy would react to his little boy. Deep breaths, good smells, and a good talk about how everyone was acting left us all in good spirits and better prepared to accomplish our chores and enjoy the afternoon together.

In my parenting I have discovered the POWERFUL uses of essential oils to keep myself and my family healthy and happy. I am grateful each day for the way these oils have touched our life.

I wanted a place where I could share the valuable information I am learning and gathering through my daily experiences with all of you amazing people; hence, this blog. I have 3 young children who are deaf and I am so happy to be a Mom to them.  Being a mother to deaf and hearing children puts a twist on parenting and there are many looking for support. This blog will include those experiences as well.  Come along and join me on my journey!

Here you will find:

• Parenting experiences, mental tools and strategies that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe re-think the way you have been parenting.
• Tips for parents of Deaf children. I meet parents often who are frustrated or looking for support - you can find that here.
•  Product information regarding doTERRA Essential oils in American Sign Language and English.
• Information on building an Education Team for doTERRA essential oil users, in ASL and English. 

Last word: please be patient! I am a busy mother! I will post as often as I can. Follow by entering your email on the side and you will get new posts delivered right to your inbox! Thanks!