When the Dishes Need Doing...

As a stay at home mom and wife most of the housework falls on me to accomplish.  Is housework my favorite thing to do?  Not even close.  Each day I am however, presented with a choice.  I can sit and think poor me, the floor needs sweeping, the carpet needs vacuuming, the dishes need doing, the toilets need scrubbing, the mirrors need wiping, and so on, or I can simply get up and do it.  Is it necessary to have a chance to sit down each day and have me time? Yes, of course it is.  It helps me to be a better parent if I have a few minutes of down time each day.  The thing I have to constantly remind myself of though is that it also helps me to be a better parent when Zoe sees me washing counters, sweeping floors, and dusting furniture.  My daughter needs to know the house doesn't magically clean itself everyday while she naps or after she goes to bed.  I want her to value hard work and a job well done and I am not teaching her that if I am not valuing those things myself.  Baking cookies, making craft projects, and playing play dough are far more fun things to do with my daughter but I need to make a conscious effort to put off the fun things from time to time and tackle everyday chores together instead. 

Sleepy Time

Today Zoe is 22 months old.  Tonight I rocked her to sleep.  Why? You ask.  It isn't because she can't fall asleep on her own.  She can and she does most of the time.  It wasn't because she asked me to, although I know she enjoys it.  She hadn't had a rough day, and she was sleepy and ready for bed. So the question remains, why did I rock Zoe to sleep?  It wasn't so I could put off the dinner dishes for just a little longer, or the living room that needs to be put to right.  Both of which I still must accomplish before turning in for the night.
It was simply this.  Tonight I chose her.  After placing Zoe in her crib each evening it is easy for me to walk back downstairs and get swallowed up in my own interest.  However, Zoe is worth far more than whatever book I am reading or the latest thing on Pinterest.  She is more important than strictly following a routine, and the 30 extra minutes of holding her are a memory I will treasure.  God blessed me greatly when He entrusted her to my care. So for me, this evening was the highlight of my day.  As I softly sang and prayed for my baby girl as she drifted off to sleep I know I made the right choice. Life will always be going on around us but it is knowing when to stop and cherish the moment that really makes a difference.