When is it my turn is what I frequently hear from my chidlren when they are in conflict with one another.  I have deep empathy for that statement. 

In my house growing up I was the only child.  I didn't have those issues of sharing of time and space with anyone except my mother.  Life was fairly easy compared to what I experience now with my two children. 

Who gets to shower first, who gets to pick the movie for movie night first, who gets to choose what we eat for dinner, who gets the next sleepover, who gets mom and dad's attention first, etc.  This happens everyday like clockwork.  Like a broken reocrd.  Over and over and over again.  Do they forget they had this conflict five minutes ago?

From an only child's perspective this seems a ridiculous thing to be in conflict about, however, this is how they are learning how to be in relationship in the world. 

With that being said "when is it my turn?".  I feel often I am meeting needs of everyone else except myself each day.  I get up make breakfast, make sure they have fed the cats, made their beds, and are ready to begin homeschooling.  Then I rush to feed myself something healthy and then off I go into their day to support them with all their needs and wants. 

Something is wrong with this picture.  Someone is seriously being excluded in the daily agenda.  You got it!  ME!!

So, for today what I am proposing for myself and all of you mama's who can relate, please put you first today.  Take a few moments to breathe, wake up slowly, enjoy the sunshine outside, become present to yourself, and feed yourself slowly something really delicious and healthy, and maybe even take a moment to be in gratitude that you get to be awake, alive and be part of an amazing family that needs you and loves you.  Even when they forget to tell you .

So, our job is to remember ourselves first.  It is my turn right  now.  I get to choose the pace in which I run my day.  I get to choose what I do and whose needs I wish to meet.  Our children watch and learn how we take care of ourselves and they model that behavior for themselves. 

If you wish for your children to be self reliant and self loving, give that to yourself so they can be a witness to how that works on a day to day basis. 

Off I go to have my tea and take my turn right now to love myself today first!!  I encourage you to do the same! 

with love and respect,

Christina mama