Clover Lane

This is definitely something I've been needing to read lately. Even with only one toddler and a hard working, sometimes clueless, hubby I find that I have to center myself often every single day. Lately with terrible twos creeping up on me it's been a constant battle that I lose more often than I'd like.

Perfect for the day I had today! Thank you for always sharing insightful little pieces of wisdom!

Oh are you writing about my life? My husband is deployed. My boys are 3 and 13, I need a book. Any suggestions. It's so hard not to let the mood swings and temper tantrums effect my attitude.

Can you tattoo those "Today I will's" to my forehead??? Thank you for this Sarah. I needed a reminder today. I will not react. I will zip it! Love you.

And summer break begins :o)

I can completely relate from the teenagers to the toddlers...

And AMEN to that!

thank you for today's blog-I just discovered your blog a few months ago and really have been enjoying it ( from your sensible advice to catching up with scrap booking!) It's been a crazy week at our house and you are so right about remaining calm! Just what I needed this morning. Thank you and keep it up!

Thank you. I need the reminder.

Can't begin to tell you how timely this is for my family. We have one 5 year old daughter who apparently is going on 15. Not sure how that happened, but wow has it been trying on our patience. Thank you for sharing this.

One piece of advice that worked for me was how to keep from fueling a negative conversation. I would just state my {our] position give them a chance to make one comment and then I'd leave the room.
"But mom I'm not done talking about this".
This saved a lot of "talking in circles" about things I wasn't going to give in about.
Parenting is such journey and it sounds like you are doing a great job.

i loved this!

I just had our fourth child, two weeks ago. This is my first full week alone with all 4 kiddos. I feel like all I'm doing is reacting to their crabbiness, which makes me crabby (and I CANNOT believe how I sound lately!). Really needed to read this post today. I was reminded recently that Motherhood is a Ministry, but I needed this kick in the butt today especially. Thanks!!

This post today is like a breath of fresh air. I laid awake most of last night from...a classic case of MOM GUILT. It was a crummy day with LOTS of negativity. Thanks for the reminder and the awesome quote! :)

OH such a great post for this summer break where there is much bickering and tantrum throwing. I need to be the grown up and not react to it. Thanks for the reminder...I will zip it. One phrase I have learned from "Parenting with Love and Logic" is "I love you too much to argue" and walk away. It saves my sanity many times. When kids are pestering over and over and over and asking for things (Mom I want to go to a friends or I want candy at the store.) I just nod my head and say "I know." Keeps me calm and I dont get caught up in the argument.

Good post!

one of my favorite quotes of all time I bought at B&N as a magnet to put on my fridge so I can remind myself that no matter what is happening in the world around me...my inner feeling will reveal itself. Thought I'd share that quote with you (even though you may have already heard of it) : "PEACE. it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." *Unknown

Thank you so much! I am almost 8 months pregnant with 2 children who are very challenging a lot of the time, especially at night. After taking them to Dairy Queen for a treat last night right before bed, (not so smart, I know, but we were spending time together as a family)and having neither of them go to sleep until 10:30, I was frustrated and sick of my own voice telling them what to do over and over. It was perfect timing to read your post. I printed it and stuck it on the desk so that I would see it first thing and have it as a reminder to remain calm and not get frustrated in the morning.(especially since we are on our last full day of school today). Thanks for the inspiration!

Ugh, just when I thought I figured out the toddler stuff, the teen stuff hits with a vengeance x3! Now, I've got BOTH! Thank you for this!

Ditto...allll that :)

so hard.

Thank you so much for this. I am moving into this part of motherhood...with teens and toddlers...and I do let things get to me. This is a perfect reminder...thank you!

~Julia

This is SO True!

I'm loving the photography in your header!

This completely speaks to me today! I had "one of those days." Woke up crabby because the baby was up early (and woke up several times at night), and my hubby got to sleep in, any other kids were demanding and it was this snowball effect all day. By 3:00 pm I had mascara stains on my face and was sobbing- I felt "unloved." I definitely see that my mood today was only caused by ME! Not my kids, or my husband. Thanks for putting me in check Sarah! LOVE this blog!

I love all those sentiments. You know, I'm in the middle of a great book, that for all I know I heard about on your blog. Maybe I've even posted this exact comment on your blog (mommy brain!). Motherstyles: Using Personality Type to Discover Your Parenting Strengths. The author uses the reputable Meyer-Briggs personality models & personalizes them for parenting. I find it insightful because it gives me the WHY of when I burn out & snap as a mom (how I get my energy), how I gather my information, how I come to decisions, and how I like my outer world structured. This helps me make the most of my strengths and conserve my energy (I'm a lot like you, too many errands or running around drains me so fast). It has also inspired me to work on my weaknesses. I want to be a centered, loving mother to my kids, and I can't be if I'm trying to do it like other moms who have different gifts. My goal is to find my Mother Talents, to do those things for/with my children that make me feel like a great mom, and try to overlook the fact that I'm not perfect. ;)