A glimpse into our household and a process I use to navigate parenting with conscious connection

What kind of morning did you have? We had a slow building intensity morning. Kind of like a giant snowball building effect... energy started off small, calm and and cozy. As we pushed through the "it's cool, dark and rainy and I'd rather stay snuggled up with a book and a blanket, than go to school" mode to come to the breakfast table, we then realized ITS PICTURE DAY! Game on! Picking out shirts, actually combing hair (I dont kid myself, it won't be combed by the time they snap the picture, but we go through the drill anyway) , and filling out forms with checks! Energy has built to the size of the base snowball of a snowman's body!

My youngest is now looking for any reason to be upset, the need to have his "inside" match his "outside" is still dominating at this time, (more on that concept later) he doesn't deal well with this energy level. Today, he couldn't find and umbrella, melt down mode kicks in (the ground is wet, very wet. Today, that saves us from the full on the ground refusal mode, I am thankful). So we offer options, "You can share my umbrella", nope! "You can hold the umbrella while mommy and you stand under." Nope!. When my kiddo is in this space, only that which is not an option, is a viable solution in his eyes. Anyone else have this experience? So my words are about choice, "you're choosing to not have an umbrella, that's ok!". Choice is empowerment, even if we sit with an unpleasant result from our choice, it's ours!

How do I try to navigate mornings like this? 1. Go for a simple breakfast for the kids, yogurt, granola and peanut butter toast will do. No sausage and eggs today, I'm simplifying and freeing myself up for emotional availability. 2. I try to watch my own energy level. I'll be honest, today was not a "gold star" day. I got ramped up about my 5th grader's choice of shirts for pictures. I have a practice of stepping outside myself and becoming an observer when I feel my own intensity build. You know what I saw? A 53 year old woman going on and on about how "I don't want my son's school picture to be an advertisement for Under Amour!" , yep... that was me in that moment! Once I see it, I can change it! "What's most important in a school picture Amie?" That my kiddo feels good about themself, and it reflects a smidgen of who they are in that moment of time. Move on... The bus comes, the boys are fed, picture money in front backpack pocket and Chris got a 2 minute turn with an umbrella!

It's a good day!

Please share, what kind of morning did you have? Are there any repeat patterns you'd like change?