A gentle reminder to take a breath

Do you ever feel like your children just aren’t listening? Until they all of a sudden do, and ... uh-oh.

A bit of foreshadowing: I may not be much of a hugger to the outside world, but in our house we hug and say “I love you” multiple times a day. One of my favorite things to say before I walk out the door or first thing when I walk in is, “give me lovins,” which means I need a big ol’ hug. Unless one of the kiddos is having a bad day, they can opt out of the lovins. (Though, they rarely do.)

My “uh oh” moment recently was my nephew pointing out that I need to slow down and breathe in his own, subtle way.

I’m on the go pretty much constantly, between work, being a wife and being the mother of a 10-month-old who is exploring a whole new world (namely, the kitchen). I spend a lot of time with my sister and nephews because they in my top five favorite people.

But, I’m not much of a morning person, so it’s a constant battle to get myself ready in the morning while my husband tends to the little one. I get overwhelmed easily, which sometimes mean I come home with a scowl on my face.

I was frazzled one morning as I’d planned on heading out the door early. I couldn’t find my keys again, because for some unknown reason I can never put them in the same place twice -- even though I hung up a hook specifically for the keys. I had no makeup on, looked like I hadn’t slept in days and had a bunch to do that day.

As I was grumbling and headed out the door, I heard Bryson yell, “BRINA! Wait! Give me lovins!”

I stopped in my tracks. I’d broken my own rule -- always say I love you before you head out the door. It was in that moment I realized the little ones get it, even though Bryson is only four years old, he was really listening to what I had to say -- even if it was just those three little words.

He got the biggest hug I could give that morning. We want our kiddos to know how loved and appreciated they are, and what example am I setting when I’m not appreciating myself?

I’m still constantly busy, but I haven’t missed out on any lovins since.

Sabrina is the editor of the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached at sabrinagcdw@gmail.com