Holiday Slow
Welcome to the November 2013 Carnival of Natural Mothering!
Hurry doesn’t only chase me in November and December, but it does seem relentless in the final months of the year. If I’m not careful, I find myself saying, “hurry up” to my kids more frequently than “I love you.” Not the mama I want to be.
So, of course I’m intentional about what things we choose to add to our schedule, but I’m trying something new this year to go one step further. My theme for this Holiday Season is “do everything ten percent slower.”
When we are baking banana bread, I know hurry will tell me, “Just crack the eggs for your 4-year-old, it will be faster!” But, I will slowly pick up each egg, handing them off as if they are a treasure I need to be slow and meticulous with. I will tell her she can take her time as hurry rushes on by.
When my 15-month old needs a diaper change in the middle of a gift-wrapping session, I will walk slowly to the changing table. I will sing Little Drummer Boy at a tempo ten percent slower than usual. I will smile, bond and connect through each step of this familiar routine, as hurry leaves us in its wake.
When my daughter and I are driving to our special Nutcracker date, I will savor the slow lane. I will watch the lights as cars speed by at 10 or even 20 miles over the speed limit. I won’t believe hurry, or honking horns, when they shout that the speed limit is too slow.
Yes, I’m inviting slow to take up residence in our home this holiday season. And maybe, by January, she’ll just be another member of the family.
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Thanks for this great tip… I’ll be thinking of that 10 percent whenever I am frustrated with the kids’ slowness. Time spent together is never wasted!
Such an important reminder! Thank you for posting this.
I’ll be thinking of that 10% too. What a fantastic idea. I think it will make a difference in our lives to move even a tinier more slowly. I love the name of your blog!
“Do everything 10 percent slower” with a happy heart is a great mantra for all of us, especially parents. You are a blogger after my own heart. Subscribing! I found you through the blog carnival. š Renae
Thank you for this reminder. It’s much easier to move slowly through the day if I build lots of margin into the day instead of trying to jam lots of stuff in.
Thank you so much, ladies. Renae, I love the addition of “with a happy heart.” So important. And, Barb – margin is so so so critical. Wonderful point!
Ah, yes, wonderfully true. Thank you for the reminder <3
Ok. Tried this over the past week and it is a lot harder than I thought it would be! I really have a hard time with it when I’m in the car. I start out my drive with good intentions, but always end up being impatient. But, more the reason that I SHOULD keep practicing this!
I know, Joye! I could feel the pressure hurry so much this week! Here’s to all of us relaxing into the slow the next few weeks. š
This has been a big theme in blog posts lately. I suffer from telling my little one to hurry up. We’ve been raising our hands less in order to not have as much on our plates lately. Best of luck with your holidays!
Beautifully written! I love the specificity of “10% slower” – it gives me something to grab onto for myself. I try to be very intentional about this all the time, because I don’t want to miss life, and I don’t want my children to grow up feeling my role was to herd them. But I can always use the reminder! It’s encouraging to know others are thinking similarly.