Mom Challenge: Days 1-16

I want to share with you a little from each day's challenge, so I thought I would just cram days 1-16 into a single post. Here we go.

1: Ask: "What is one thing we can do together, this month?" - When I asked the boys this question, both J & C immediately said "Go to Chuck E Cheese!" We have yet to make it. There are still 13 days left in the month.

2: Go the whole day without yelling at your children. - I say this with my head hanging and full of shame...this one was hard for me. I yell many times a day. I don't like it. Before this challenge I was already working on stopping the yelling. I am more aware of my  yelling since day 2. The yelling has yet to cease BUT I am doing it less often.

3: Hug your child three times a day. - I had no problem doing this. I hug the boys the second I see them in the mornings and hug them more than a few times when they go to bed. The one thing that stuck with me on this day is that my 6 year old boy is sometimes reluctant to give a hug or be hugged. I don't like this. Is it because he's getting older? I don't know but I am making a point to hug each child more often.

4: Kiss your child while they are sleeping. - This one was easy, and one I enjoyed.


5: Tell yourself, "He's only ___ years old. He's still a child."Then, treat him that way. - This challenge made me aware that I need to enjoy my 3 year old more. I need to quit treating him as if he is a 6 year old, although at times he does behave more like a 6 year old than a 3 year old.

6: Bake, make, or buy them their favorite food. - I made homemade chocolate chip cookies for them while they were at school. They came home to their favorite cookie, and said "Mom, you make the best chocolate chip cookies!" Melted this momma's heart!

7: Leave a sweet note for them. - I put a note in Jase's lunch box that read, "I love you. Hope you are having a great day!" After school, he did thank for me the note but then told me I needed to put an "I" in front of hope. I love how my kindergartner corrected my sweet note.

8: Calculate how many more weekends are left until your child graduates high school. - I did not do this one. I do not want to know. Knowing it will be here soon enough is enough for me, I do not need to see the number.

9: Picture yourself at your child's age. Try to remember how you felt.  - I don't (or try not to) remember much from when I was 6 years old. The best memory I have at this age is getting a baby sister for Christmas. I was happy, but then again, I wasn't. **I love you, Kaylee!** I imagine this is exactly how Jase would feel if he were to get a new little sibling now.

10: Today's mom focus: joy. - I just tried to find joy in (almost) every moment with the boys today.

11: Tell your child, "I am so glad you're my son/daughter." - Cole responded with a smile and a hug. Jase's response was a reminder I need hug him more often.

12: Pray for wisdom in mothering your child. - My everyday prayer.

13: Do not criticize your child today. - No name calling here. :)

14: Remember that being a mother is a gift. - Something I reminded myself of throughout the day while feeding animals and chasing boys around a dusty, dirty animal safari ride place.

15: Be firm when needed, but not harsh.  - Need to work on this.

16: Picture what you want your child to be like at age 25. Mother with that in mind today.  - When they are 25, I want my boys to know God, be respectful, and have been out from under mine and Jason's roof for at least 5 years!

On to tomorrow.