around here

I am adjusting to being a mother of three.  I am stretched in so many directions - I am still trying to find my balance.

And for me, that means spending time with each of my girls.  They each need special time.  I need that time with them.

I have been a mother for 7 years now (and I'm sure many of you have more experience at this!), and I finally realized that the most important thing for me are the values that I want my girls to exhibit as adults.  That sisterhood is a gift, not everyone gets to experience it.  I want to build their character and instill inner peace so that they know that they are beautiful, smart, and confident.  That they should take time to hold the door open for someone behind them, pray and give thanks, bring a meal to a family in need.  And I realize that that this has everything to do with my behavior - my thoughts and actions, my tone of voice, the example that I set forth.

It has little to do with the details that I find so many young mothers agonize over - bottle or breastfeeding, co-sleeping, cloth diapering or disposable, sleep training or not, daycare or nanny, when to potty train - I could go on and on.  These are simply details, phases, which will eventually pass. Yet I find that so many mothers agonizing over these things.

This perspective has helped get through my days.  That I shouldn't concentrate on little things or small battles (which can be many with little ones).