How are those ruts going? We are attempting breaking free from a few of the most popular kind of icky routines we fall into, the rut when we get into that lulled comfort zone, the rut that often transforms into a plateau. A boring Life plateau.
How about that parenting rut? Even when we are tackling the various challenges every day and juggling a gazillion schedules and tasks, it can be a rut. As if we are on a parenting hamster wheel, forever just going, with the same frustrations of getting to school on time or the soccer game carpools or making lunches or getting the right size shoes.
When I just keep jogging on that parenting wheel, I feel that lose touch of being "in the moment," and I'm not connect with my kiddo or being purposeful with my parenting. Yeah, not fun, feeling this parenting rut. What should we do?
-- Make a list of things you love to do with your kids - and those things you do not like to do with them. Now, I can't always just do all of those things on the "love list" and I know I can't avoid the "not like list," but this gives me a good way to take a gander at what I'm spending the most time on...which list is winning the time war? If it isn't the "love to do list," then maybe I need to make more time to do those things.
-- Take a mommy break. Often, I feel in a rut when I've been working non-stop at something. And parenting is a 24-7 job. Find time for you, even 15 minutes. Even better would be an afternoon just for you. Chances are, when your break is over, you won't feel as rut-ish (is that a word?).
-- Change the routine. Even a little bit. Instead of doing errands in the morning, do them in the afternoon and play after breakfast. Instead of saving the fun stuff like movie night for the weekend, do it on a Wednesday night or serve your usual Friday night pizza on Monday. These little switches in routine can shake up that rut and get everyone in a different mindset.
Do you ever feel in a parenting rut? Share your stories here and what you do it swtich it up!
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I have so many things I want to work on with DS and so many things that I wish I did better, but I dont seem to be making any progress...because I am lazy. :(
I am more so lazy due to other stresses we are dealing with here at home. Mostly financial.
We should institute a do nothing day!
Quoting MichelleK41:We change the routine and then I call some Saturdays as do nothing days so we get down time together. =)
its always hard to get out of a rut when stress is involved..... try taking a stress break & doing something that doesn't require money so your not stress about the cost .... Invite a friend for a bike ride, have a picinic in the park... heck just turn the music up load and have a dance party ......
Quoting Wish2Be:
I have so many things I want to work on with DS and so many things that I wish I did better, but I dont seem to be making any progress...because I am lazy. :(
I am more so lazy due to other stresses we are dealing with here at home. Mostly financial.
Quoting cara124:
have teenagers & a "special" needs child my parenting never seems to get in a rut because I never know what adventure one of them is going to get into on a daily basis LOL
I would imagine having teenagers is always something new each day!
I am definitely in a rut. I feel like since hubby retired, and is home all day, all I do is housework. Picking up after him is a full time job, and I'm not a fanatic about a clean house, but you cannot imagine the laundry and dirty dishes the man can generate. He starts a part time job next week, so maybe things will improve.
often. I have an almost 12 yr old, a 9 yr old and a 2 year old.... I feel like im in a rut often with my 2 year old.. its winter so there isnt much to do. Every so often I will take her to the mall and let her wander around the disney store.
It is easy to get caught up in the routine. Homework after school can easily take up all the time before dinner.
- HeatherNYC
on Feb. 8, 2013 at 12:00 AM