Surviving Summer Messes
Time to talk about challenges that come along with summer! Over the next three months I’ll share several things to THINK, LEARN & TRY in a special email series that I’d love to have you join! Here are at least three topics that I’ll cover— managing mess, finding balance & being present. I’m sharing the first topic on the blog today. How to survive all the messes of summer fun??
In the famous words of High School Musical 2…
“What time is it? Summertime!
Now we can do whatever we wanna do
We're lovin' it
Come on and celebrate now
What time is it?
It's party time
The time of our lives.”
Do you remember being young and feeling this way? Summer meant party time! But all adults know that a party usually means mess. The summer hours are filled with tons of fun but also a constant flow of cleaning. I think that’s why cruises are SO appealing. All the fun and none of the work. If only we could live on a cruise! But we don’t, so now what?
Let’s look at the fun & clean up dynamic.
No fun. No messes. Kids that complain, likely. Irritated parents, maybe.
Fun. Messes. Adults clean up. Irritated parents, maybe.
Fun. Messes. Kids asked to clean up. Kids that complain, likely. Kids that clean up, maybe. Adults still clean up, likely. Irritated parents, maybe.
Which one happens frequently at your house? If you’re like me, it rotates depending on the day. I don’t mean to be a downer but do you notice how irritation shows up in every scenario! So which one are you going to choose? However , it’s important realize that feeling irritated is optional and one of the few things you do have control over. Even though it doesn’t seem that way sometimes.
The truth is—your kids and their messes are not the reason you feel irritated. It’s what you think about your kids and their messes that cause you to feel irritated. Next time the summer party bomb goes off, stop and ask yourself, “What am I thinking that causes me to feel so irritated?” The answer to that question may be the key to a different outcome for you emotionally.
Honestly, I haven't been able to master some thoughts to eliminate irritation entirely, but here's a little mantra that’s helping me take more ownership over my thoughts and feelings when it comes to messes. Thought I would share!
Something to THINK….
I have options. I’m going to make a choice and own it.
Say no to mess, which I can do.
Say yes & accept that fun and mess are part of life.
Tackle cleaning on my own or enlist help.
What do I want?
I may feel irritated sometimes but that’s ok, I own it.
I can figure out what I’m thinking and drop the irritation at any time.
Hope this helps you too! Happy summer!
I look forward to sharing more thoughts with you. The next topics I’ll cover in my email series are finding balance & being present. Click HERE and you’ll get more things to THINK, LEARN & TRY so you can have an amazing summer!