Guilt Free Mom Tip #7 – Get Real with Expectations.
This tip is inspired by my new favorite book, authored by Trisha Ashwood and Amy Nobile, “I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids.”
The past few days have taken about 10 years off my life. Why? Well, no specific reason but I can give you a list a mile long about the small, little challenges (and associated stress) that come with having two small kids in my house, (one sick), in the middle of Midwest winter weather with a husband who, due to work and school, was gone for 6 straight days. I run and run all day and feel like I got absolutely nothing accomplished. How defeating!
If this sounds familiar, do one exercise that will take no more than 5 minutes out of your morning but will have benefits that will last all day, if not longer. Write down any expectations of yourself, (that you or anyone else puts on you) for the day that sits ahead of you. (Think: what do I feel that I HAVE to get done in order to feel that I had a good day.)
Here is my running list so far for the day…. Kid is seen by pediatrician, Mom Tip goes out before 5 (CST), I don’t cry, yell, or scream, I eat well, work out, smile at my kids, play with them, cuddle them, make healthy meals and snacks, school pick up and drop off on time and not late, write a newsletter article, teach my class, cook a dinner that taste good, put laundry away, clean up toys, vacuum, call insurance to fight a bill, call back my friend who texted me that she needs to talk to me today…..and on and on and on…….
Take a closer look at your own list…does this set you up for feelings of success or failure? Knowing is have the battle… and for me, I just realized that my daily expectations are ridiculous! Get real with your expectations….What expectations do you have for yourself tomorrow? Do they set you up for feelings of success or failure?
I love this tip. I’ve loved every one of your tips so far, but this one really hits home. I think I’m going to leave a notepad next to the shower. I do my best organizational thinking first thing in the morning – maybe its the cozy steam, maybe its the only 15 minutes of quiet in my day, whatever – but maybe if I write down the top 3-5 things I that I need/want to accomplish that day, I’ll have a tool to help me stay focused throughout the day and a visual to fuel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.