Thankful to be a first-generation, hispanic woman business-owner!

 

How about those cool mornings! Fall is making its debut and we just can't be more excited.  For my sweet moms out there getting your homes ready for the season, picking out pumpkins with the littles and making the house smell amazing every day has been a tradition in our home.

 

The kids are old enough now where they know what kind of pumpkin they love and where they want it displayed.  The conversations and opinions are at a max, as you can imagine.  My oldest knows everything, my middle gets offended with my oldest's demands, my third boy does what both of them do, and the baby is really taking it all in!  

 

Just follow me here… all of these personalities unfolding and here I am getting ready for the holidays! I know what you are thinking: I better get used to it, because this is what I signed up for.  Well, you're right.  My mother-in-law was bold enough to tell me this one day.

 

It is so easy to find myself overwhelmed or fall into exhaustion just thinking of the work ahead to ensure my kids learn how to relate in a healthy way. My typical response is going into "mommy mode". I often found myself correcting or redirecting but there was something missing. I wasn't leaving room for fun in the process. I really believe we are given the children with the right personalities to also teach us areas where we could use some growing.

 

This month, my outspoken, spontaneous, and curious three year old is turning four! Birthdays are a big deal for us and we really try and focus all our attention on the birthday.  However, we really try to limit our screen time for the boys because we have experienced their change in behavior. The kids have just had fun watching the same small clips from their own age appropriate movies and my oldest has made it a point to use clips from movie screens as a response.  

Just picture a hectic morning before school: each kid is operating in their mode and I'm really trying to get out the door while keeping my cool.  My little guy runs into the bathroom while I'm getting ready and he still doesn't have his shoes on.  I have just taken a client call, the boys are antsy to get out, the baby is in her carseat ready to go - so I was just in my mode, a bit frustrated and wanted to leave.  Kamran finally brought his shoes to me and said in a greek accent “Mommy, it's almost my birthday and it's lucky for me I have you to tie my shoes!” quoted straight from a movie.  I couldn't help but break into a good laugh.  

 

The frustration and angst just fell away.  I bet if I just anticipated some fun, I would find more laughs in my day - and I needed this mindshift.  They really are little for just a little while.  

 

My hope for you this season is that in the hustle of the day or season, you will break into the fun moments and find your way into making room for a mindshift.

 

See you at the shop or in class!