30 Days Until 30 - Day 10

We started a new campaign with the parents at our school to build a community of parents who respond rather than react to a situation. You know, when the parking lot is backed up & it's hot & everyone is cranky - instead of sassing the aides who put your child in your car or pulling over & going in to yell at the poor ladies in the office, you get together with other parents & staff you brainstorm solutions & voice concerns.

I am notoriously a reactor in any given situation. I am a massive emotions-based person. But I crave peace. Peace-of-mind, peace in your heart, & a peaceful environment.

I took this idea from the school & took it home. I started using the stop, step back, & observe approach with the kids. It is not without flaw. It does take effort & time & a TON of patience.

Is that not parenting's great Catch 22? Becoming a parent means you need to be the best example of yourself & you need to show patience & understanding, but being a parent often times has you at the end of your rope, where patience can feel like a four letter word.

But the more I breathe & observe the problematic moments from an objective stand point, the more I see each moment for all its glory. The lessons each troublesome time has to teach.

I am what I feel, but I've learned I can choose where to let my emotions take me.