218: How can I enjoy having little kids close in age?// Molly Alexander
This week, I got a text from my little sister, Laura, that seemed just so appropriate for the podcast topic we are covering today, and I asked her permission to include it here. For context, Laura is pregnant with her fourth baby, due in May, and then she has three other little kids close in age, ranging from 2 to 7 year old. This is what she texted me:
"My kids' new teachers from church came over tonight to meet them, and it was sheer pandemonium. I mean, absolute chaos. Nora was shrieking the entire time because it was past her bedtime; Alice was being insanely cute and charming as always, until she got out her treasure box to show her teachers, and Luke saw some of his stuff in her treasure box, and they started full on brawling. I mean, madness. And Sam was of course still at work. MY LIFE IS A CIRCUS!"
Laura, this week's episode is dedicated to you…and to all of you mamas out there who are in the midst of a chaotic season of motherhood with little kids close in age.
For this topic, I am thrilled to interview Molly Alexander, who is the Communications Manager for 3 in 30 and a dear friend of mine.
Molly lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her husband, their four little children, and their new dog. Much like my little sister, I think Molly would lovingly say that her life is a circus, and she wouldn't have it any other way. Here are her three takeaways for enjoying motherhood with little kids close in age.
- 3 Takeaways for Enjoying Little Kids Close in Age--
- Adjust your expectations, then adjust them again. This looks like getting honest with yourself about the season of life you're in, accepting your limitations, and renegotiating with yourself about what you can reasonably expect of yourself and your children right now.
Take a few minutes today to identify one expectation you are going to let go of in this season and one expectation that you want to hold on to because it really blesses you? Take a minute to do some journaling and write it down.
- Lean in. This means that when you are in the middle of a chaotic motherhood moment that makes you want to scream and run for the hills, take a deep breath--or ten deep breaths--get down on your children's level and connect with them. Make a list of activities you can easily do with your children when you are feeling overwhelmed, so the next time you are in a chaotic moment, you can look at it and remember how to lean in.
- Remember, we are making memories. This is the mindset to hold on to in the good times and bad. Start using one of my Flecks of Gold Journals to write down a golden moment that you experience each day. This will help you to recognize the memories even as they are happening, and make sure that you never forget them or lose them because they are written down.
>>>Are these tips about enjoying little kids close in age helpful? What would you add to her takeaways? Tell us in the comments below.
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-Get in Touch with Molly Alexander-
- You can get in touch with Molly anytime at hello@3in30podcast.com.
-Mentioned in this Episode-
-Related Episodes for Enjoying Little Kids Close in Age-
- Episode 105: For the Mom of Littles
- Episode 194: When Motherhood Feels Joyless // Kelly Jensen
- Episode 111: 3 Simple Strategies to Avoid Mom Burnout