Finding My Mommy Zen

I issued a challenge on Monday – The Pay It Forward Challenge. You can go HERE and read all about it.

Because 95% of my waking days are spent in the presence of my children, my biggest goal was to fulfill #3 on the list: Show “I Love You” while avoiding the Darkside.

This meant when my husband left the wet towels on the floor after the kids’ baths – because he never hangs them up (hint hint, honey) – I stamped out the irritation that always hits me when I do the deed instead.

I ignored the dinner dishes that weren’t rinsed.

I hugged and said “thank you” even when he did fulfilled “jobs” that fall into his court.

I think he took the challenge to heart as well, because this week was one with much less sniping and sarcastic quips designed to piss me off.

Did I mention I only had four hours of sleep the night before, because I was up writing the poem for Lil Diva?

He stopped accusing me of “searching for his failures” with every question I asked and just answered.

It made for a more pleasant household all around.

When my son melted down, I got quiet instead of loud. And I hugged both children, even more than usual. When they smiled at me, I smiled back.

I mediated their battles and (mostly) avoided being sucked in.

I baked cupcakes with my son. We laughed.

I allowed Lil Diva to lick her first beater, even though I knew she’d make a mess.

Another milestone: the beater licking rite of passage.

I knew I could clean it up.

Plus, she’s two now. I need to remember all the things The Tackler did at two because he was an only child and it didn’t seem near as daunting.

It was the week of the (mostly) Zen Mommy.

I’m going to try to keep that mentality.

My successes at avoiding the Darkside and Paying it Forward outside my family were small by comparison.

I breathed deep and curbed annoyance when I was stuck waiting in line. For me, this is an achievement. I have never been a good “stand in line” person. I’d much rather take a number, sit down, and wait to be called.

I know where my children inherited it from….

I didn’t flip off the black truck that cut me off.

I added an extra $1 to the tip when I was out with my local blogging group.

Our server chose to automatically include gratuity (which is within his right). I waited tables for three years in high school and college and I typically chose not to add the automatic 15% to 18% tip for large parties. I discovered I often earned substantially more in tips if I didn’t include it and left it up to the customers.

The way I viewed it, I could either choose what I wanted for a tip, or let them choose, so when someone adds in gratuity, I never add to the required tip amount.

But I did that night, because I know how an extra unexpected $1 could make a server feel.

Or at least, how it did in 1995.

The day isn’t done yet and I’m hoping to do at least one random act of kindness.

Maybe we’ll eat at Chik-Fil-A which is having a fundraiser for the school my children attend.

I do not like their food, only their indoor play areas. The play area at this location is about the smallest and least child friendly play area out of the many locations I’ve experienced (my children had to run somewhere when driving over 900 miles across country when it was 100 degrees out).

The last time CG took the kids there, Lil Diva completely melted down on the top level because the set up isn’t very two year old friendly.

I still might go. Because they do receive proceeds from it and my children absolutely love their “school”.

That counts, right?

We just might stick to the drive-thru.

I haven’t made it to Starbucks yet to buy someone’s coffee because I don’t drink it.

Maybe I should buy someone’s sub at Jimmy John’s instead…

What did you do to meet the Pay It Forward Challenge?

Link up HERE from 9-16-11 thru 9-23 with your post of what you did this week to meet the challenge.

I cannot wait to read them.

As always, please pass on the challenge to others – the link will be live for a full week and I know I’m going to try to keep Zen Mommy as much as possible.