Settle down. Take a breath. And try again.

“WAIT! I’m not buckled! I can’t get it!”

“I’m not backing out yet. Settle down. Take a breath. Try again. And once you’re buckled, we’ll go.”

grunting. groaning. hrumphing. moaning. 
grunting. groaning. hrumphing. moaning. 
grunting. groaning. hrumphing. moaning. 


“Barr. Settle down. Take a breath. A grunt-free breath. And try again.”

grunting. groaning. hrumphing. moaning. 
grunting. groaning. hrumphing. moaning. 
grunting. groaning. hrumphing. moaning. 
“I got it! Mom! I got it. You can go.”

……………

We are all in such a hurry, aren’t we? And we want things done like yesterday. We’re rushing through moments to get to other ones. And then we’re wishing we had those moments back. So when my oldest gets in a huff when he can’t get something right, or my middlest gets in a tizzy over not getting to do exactly what he wants, I have to remind myself, this is the world that is being created around them. An instant gratification, must-get-it-perfect-the-first-time, IWANTTHATRIGHTNOW world where we are all rushing from one thing to the next… and sometimes, hanging on by a thread to make it all come together.

So maybe — maybe — it’s up to me to stop the madness. If even only minimally. Maybe it’s up to me to show them, daily, that it’s okay to settle down. Take a breath. Try again. In fact, it’s recommended.

So my goal — if I have just ONE for this summer — is to settle down. Take a breath. Try again. When I’m frustrated with the middlest because he can’t find his crocs for the umpteenth time that day. Settle down. Take a breath. Try again. When the oldest is complaining because he can’t hit the ball off the coach. Settle down. Take a breath. Try again. When the baby is irate because he can’t figure out how to get down the stairs, after getting himself up. Settle down. Take a breath. Try again. And when I feel exceptionally frazzled, even for me… or not the mom that I wanted to be that day. Or in that moment. Settle down. Take a breath. Try again. 


If life were meant to be gotten right each day, why would we get to live so many new days?

Settle down. Take a breath. And try again. 


And maybe if I get the hang of it, they will, too.

Settle down. Take a breath. And try again.