1-17-13 Send ‘Em Out

This post is for the young moms that read this blog.

It was prompted by the last post with all its beautiful icy pictures. That day (Monday) was really cold, and really icy out. Although the road was clear, I really didn’t want to take my usual afternoon walk. When I don’t want to walk because of the cold, it’s hard for me to send the kids out. I mean, it’s kind of inconsistent, isn’t it, when it’s too cold for me but not too cold for them? Well, so, in light of that, I ordered them out anyway (yes, I do quite a bit of ordering around. It’s part of my job. If you’re the mom, it’s part of your job. Get used to it, smile while you do it, and don’t feel guilty about it. It’s your job.).

Anyway.

So I ordered them out despite the cold and dove into all the outside-preparation-tactics which include about 20 minutes of finding boots, hats, mittens, scarves, socks, coats, etc. Of course this time is cut in half if all the paraphernalia is where it’s supposed to be, but it still takes a little while to get boot laces tied, zippers zipped, scarves tied, gloves on, and so on. It’s just part of winter.

And the whole time, the kids are just sure there’s nothing to do outside. “It’s really cold, Mom.” “Brr. Look at that wind.” “I wish it would snow.” This year I hear, “When will the rink be ready?” And the ever-present: “Can we come in when you’re done walking?” I always agree, yes it’s cold, and yes it’s windy, and yes snow would be nice but you’re going out anyway, and yes you can come in when I do. But you are going out, and that’s not negotiable. That day – the icy day – they had a blast and were outside about two hours! Once again, I marveled at my indecision about it; my rigid routine of sending them out had proved to be a huge benefit to their day. It’s so tempting to avoid the battle, to sidestep the complaints, to let them stay in the warm cozy house all afternoon, to forget all the hatsmittensscarvesetc., to give in to my natural tendency to take the ‘easy’ way out; but I’ve seen time and time again that the ‘easy’ way really isn’t that easy in the long haul.

In the long haul, the fresh air and sunshine is good for them.

In the long haul, when they’re outside, they’re not getting bored in here - - -

(Not that I ever hear that word – it’s a bad word around me. The kids know that if I hear that word there is always a job to do. So they don’t say it. But sometimes they act it. Like pick on each other and lay around just looking for some trouble to cause. Oh yes they do that. They are typical kids, and they get bored.)

And, in the long haul, invariably, almost without fail, once I kick them outside, they find something fun to do, and when I’m done walking (20 or 30 minutes), they are not ready to come in! I can’t say they are NEVER ready to come in, but I can probably count on one hand the times when they have been waiting at the door or watching for me so they can come back in. Those were the few raw windy days where even the barn offered little or no protection from the cold, and my walk is cut short because it’s just plain too cold to work up a sweat walking. This is rare though; despite the cold, despite the gray and wind, when I walk I usually find myself thinking, “I’m so glad I am doing this.” I know there’s something to the hormones released through exercise, and I guess that’s why I walk – I’m addicted to that good feeling. A good addiction, because I know it’s good for me physically – - - and mentally. I need that mental boost every afternoon, and then – I come back to the house - and it is empty!

And quiet.

Don’t get me wrong.

I love my houseful of noise and commotion. I praise God daily for it.

But.

I also love my home when it’s quiet.

I wander around, put a few things away, straighten a few crooked pictures, maybe blab out a blog post that’s been on my heart (guess where the kids are right now??!), maybe sort some pictures on the computer, check my planner, prepare next week’s spelling lists or assignment sheets, make some phone calls, read a blog or two, clean a dirty mirror that’s been bugging me, jot some things down so I don’t forget them later, do some patching. It really doesn’t matter what I do – the thing is my house is quiet.

Sometimes I crave that quiet.

Can you relate?

I know, I know, I don’t want to wish away the glorious noise of kids. Too soon they’ll be gone. Some of them are gone alot already. (**blink**)

I’m not wishing it away; I love it. I really do. I fully appreciate every boisterous minute of noise. I know it’s a blessing that some don’t have, and I don’t take this gift lightly.

But unless you’re a mom of many (or few), you might not understand the additional blessing of a few minutes of quiet. When the volume of the day is on high for about  six straight hours, and the most popular word of the day (every day) is MOM, the quiet is a blessing too.

And I appreciate it.

 

This is long enough already, but I have a few more thoughts; bear with me. I know some of  you don’t have a barn or shed, and you don’t have older kids to help watch the younger ones while you walk. For some, a daily walk just isn’t possible or desirable, and that’s ok. For years my babies kept me from walking regularly, but I did when I could. If you cannot get out, your little ones will still benefit from a few minutes outside. I well know you might spend more time dressing and undressing than they actually spend outside, but that’s ok. Do it anyway, every day, so they know it’s a part of their life just like lunchtime and naptime. Tell them to run around the house six times. Have them ride their bikes in 20 circles on the driveway. Ask them to bring you ten rocks or sticks or whatever you can think of to have them collect. Watch them do 52 jumping jacks, and have some hot chocolate and marshmallows ready for those who meet the goal. Raining? Back the car out and send them to the garage. The crisp cold air is invigorating. Keep a kickball in a closet just for garage days; they’ll use it and love it. It’s good for them to get that cold fresh air and exercise, and it’s good for you to have those few minutes of quiet. When the day grows long and you crave some quiet, even if it’s cold, or rainy, or windy, or gray, or it takes a lot of effort - - -

Send ‘em out!

I think you’ll be glad you did.