Our community group recently took mini-DISC tests. According to these results, I am an "S", followed by a "C". "S's" tend to be relationship oriented - supportive, loyal, agreeable, resistant to change, indecisive, and lacking initiative. "C's" tend to be more self-disciplined, orderly, detail oriented (sometimes overly so). We also learned that in times of stress, we tend to revert to our secondary personality as a defense mechanism.
(Now to reveal the Texan in me:) I say all that to say...
Life with an infant is challenging. Life with an infant and a five year old? Yep, challenging. Adjusting to life as a full time stay at home mom of an infant and a five year old while living with your parents? You get the idea.
But things are going well. We take it day by day. We have something resembling a routine, but very loosey goosey. My predominately "S" personality revels in the relationships -- playing with Brooklyn, cuddling with Grayson while he naps, visiting with mom and friends, squeezing in chores "when I have a moment". Of course in retrospect I can almost feel the undercurrent of chaos looming just around the corner.
Then it hits. Grayson, who has never been a great napper anyway, suddenly decides that all sleep will occur while he is in someone's arms - AND NO WHERE ELSE! Suddenly my sweet moments of sleepy bonding begin to feel burdensome. I start to wonder, "Will I ever get anything done?". Then I worry, "Is Brooklyn being neglected while I'm focused on meeting baby's needs?" Then my concern grows, "What's it going to be like when Grayson is older? Will he ever get the sleep he needs or will we become slaves to his nap times??!!"
By now, feeling ultra frazzled and stressed out, I read through my baby books. They make me feel worse. But in all the noise of my emotions, the experts, Brooklyn's needs, and Grayson's tears, I was reminded of something I have known all along: God is orderly. There is a natural structure and rhythm to life.
That night, I slept more peacefully. This morning, I woke up knowing that things might not go perfectly, but comfortable that we had a plan to follow. To remind myself, I printed out our schedule and wrote this on the top:
(Now to reveal the Texan in me:) I say all that to say...
Life with an infant is challenging. Life with an infant and a five year old? Yep, challenging. Adjusting to life as a full time stay at home mom of an infant and a five year old while living with your parents? You get the idea.
But things are going well. We take it day by day. We have something resembling a routine, but very loosey goosey. My predominately "S" personality revels in the relationships -- playing with Brooklyn, cuddling with Grayson while he naps, visiting with mom and friends, squeezing in chores "when I have a moment". Of course in retrospect I can almost feel the undercurrent of chaos looming just around the corner.
Then it hits. Grayson, who has never been a great napper anyway, suddenly decides that all sleep will occur while he is in someone's arms - AND NO WHERE ELSE! Suddenly my sweet moments of sleepy bonding begin to feel burdensome. I start to wonder, "Will I ever get anything done?". Then I worry, "Is Brooklyn being neglected while I'm focused on meeting baby's needs?" Then my concern grows, "What's it going to be like when Grayson is older? Will he ever get the sleep he needs or will we become slaves to his nap times??!!"
By now, feeling ultra frazzled and stressed out, I read through my baby books. They make me feel worse. But in all the noise of my emotions, the experts, Brooklyn's needs, and Grayson's tears, I was reminded of something I have known all along: God is orderly. There is a natural structure and rhythm to life.
For everything there is a season, and time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1So in my stress, I let my "C" take over. I started with our bed time routine (which is pretty consistent, thanks to years of practice with Brooklyn) and I worked backwards, planning out a basic organization to the day. Something with flexibility and predictability. I even went through the week in my head to see where we need to make changes due to funky schedules.
That night, I slept more peacefully. This morning, I woke up knowing that things might not go perfectly, but comfortable that we had a plan to follow. To remind myself, I printed out our schedule and wrote this on the top:
We will not be ruled by the clock. However, we will, using the following guidelines, attempt to organize our day so that needs may be met, wants may be fulfilled, and fun may be had!
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