Photo by D. Sharon Pruitt
Written by Steady Mom contributor Kat of Inspired to Action
If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
~Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again"
I love this poem from Diane Loomans. Such a simple and lovely reminder of what is truly important.
Let's imagine.
Imagine your children are headed off to college and you're looking back on these early years. What would you have done differently today, this month, this year?
What would you do less and what would you do more?
Take a piece of paper right now and fold it lengthwise down the middle. List those things.
Put your list in your journal and let it guide your attitudes, actions and to do list each day.
"Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least." - Goethe
*What's one thing you need to do less of, so you can do more of something that really matters?*
Kat blogs at Inspired to Action, a site helping moms develop the skills they need to manage their homes and raise children who are prepared to change the world. Kat and her husband Jimmy live in Texas and have 3 children ages 7, 5 and 3. Kat loves music, running, technology, Jesus and Tex-Mex food. Not necessarily in that order.
