simple rules for a difficult day:
simple breakfast: cereal, milk, blackberries, turkey sausage, left on table for girls
simple wardrobe: long easy soft black skirt, black tank top, short white sweater, sandals, ponytail, comfort
simple work: be kind, smile a lot, grit your teeth when you have to, find a laugh, take a good book for lunchtime
simple grievances: speak alone to each girl about fights or responsibilities not done. meet at table. be firm and speak in plain language. do not raise voice. bring hanky. set expectations. end with hug.
simple dinner: pasta, spinach, chicken, tomato, garlic, chicken stock, white wine. use less ingredients, if it all fits in one bowl all the better, crusty bread from the oven and hands for helping. a glass of wine while cooking.
simple homework: double check it's done, triple check it's put away. approach math with patience, perseverance and chocolate pudding. celebrate the last equation.
simple bedtime: wash face, brush teeth, dim lights, read them too many pages of a good book and lose track of time, spend the extra ten minutes to hold her, especially after former grievances, let everyone sleep somewhere that feels safe, build nests with pillows. don't forget kiss.
simple bedtime - love that!
ReplyDeleteYou're amazing. I wish I had had you as a mother.
ReplyDelete@katie i don't care that it puts us to bed later, i love our whole books in bed routine
ReplyDelete@cheryl well, if it only worked this well all the time, sometimes i look like a raging lunatic with no control
I believe simple is better. This was simply beautiful, lol!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of approaching math with patience and chocolate pudding and celebrating the last equation. I will have to remember that when my son starts school. Your words are beautiful, as always.
ReplyDeleteThis post made me feel peaceful. I love the idea of talking one on one...then remembering the hanky and of course the hug afterward. Always good to end on a good note...
ReplyDeleteYou're a good mom...xo
@lisa i find over and over simple IS better.
ReplyDelete@jenn pudding helps slightly, at least it's a distraction
@michelle thanks (blush again)
*love*, this is beautiful.
ReplyDelete(p.s. celebrate the last math question?! Brilliant! >add to Aspergers tools of learning< )