JUDE'S 30 DAY GRATITUDE CHALLENGE
I am all for BIG families – I am a part of one. We are loud, opinionated and loads of fun! There is truly no limit to the amount of fun we can all have together, but whilst my son has many cousins (with a new addition on the way any day now) he - is an only child, and I think I speak for ALL mothers sitting in the “only child” sphere, when I say – we DEFINITELY spoil more to compensate for the lack of siblings…
This is (as we all know), NOT the best decision… not for our kids anyway…
Jude, thankfully – is not a brat – in fact, he is anything but! He has over time however; become “expectant” of receiving something every time we visit the shops, which on many days gets accommodated simply because I have so much going on with my business and work etc. – that I simply don’t have the energy to enter into an argument… which is WRONG – I know this, so hold back on the lectures for just another moment. Lol!
Despite my “giving in” more than I should, I most certainly still deem myself a good mother. My every day is dedicated to giving Jude my utmost… you know, the small things – play time, homework, lunch packing, quality dinner time, milk and marie biscuits… you name it… Sometimes with a smile on my face and others with a slight growl…lol – that’s normal right?!
Having said that… as with everything in life - there is always room for improvement. If you aren’t constantly working on improving, then you are not growing as an individual. (In my opinion anyway)
On one recent visit to the shops to purchase a birthday present for one of Jude’s friends, he began to sulk at the fact that he wasn’t getting something too – (I will give a silent moment of thanks for the fact that my son is a sulker and not a tantrum thrower haha)
For some reason, this particular occasion was the one that marked the “change”. Right then and there, I decided that I am simply not doing myself or my child any favours by constantly giving him everything he wants… (Again – yes, this is common knowledge, but easier said than done with an only child)
The decision was made! No more spoiling or surprises unless he has earned and paid for it himself or if it is a special occasion, but over and above that, I wanted him to look at what he already has, with a renewed spirit, so I started thinking about ways in which I could achieve this… and this is what I came up with…
Jude’s 30 day Gratitude Challenge.
Today is DAY 1 and whilst he hasn’t been deprived of much at this stage, he was still very excited and enthusiastic – which is wonderful to see. I am ever grateful that he has walked in to this “challenge” with an open heart and mind… but then again, I would expect nothing less of my little rock star!
I will leave the rest of the challenge explanation to the video which we have now uploaded to his new YouTube channel… “Jude’s Journal” which I created for very specific reasons outlined in my "Jude's Journal of Confidence" post.
I hope that at least a few moms across the globe find a little inspiration or motivation from it…
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Enjoy the video and if you are feeling generous I know my little man would be thrilled at a like or follow hehe…
Until next time…