.jpg)
Today's little thing.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
I know, we've all heard that saying a million zillion times. But it's true, isn't it? How often have you reacted negatively to a situation that you looked back on and it really wasn't that bad. I have done that plenty of times.
Yesterday I chose not to sweat it. And because of this choice I didn't miss out on a blessing that was waiting.
Here's the story.
Last night I went in Josh's room to remind him it was time to wrap up what he was doing and get into bed. Before closing his door, he looked up at me with that "deer in the headlights" look. You know the one. And here is how our conversation went.
Josh - Um Mom?
Me - Yes, Josh?
Josh - Um I have to turn in a cooking thing tomorrow for German.
Me - A cooking thing?
Josh - Yah. I have to make something German for my class. And it's due tomorrow.
Me - Tomorrow as in just a few hours from now tomorrow?
Josh - Uh huh.
Okay, this was the point in time where I had a mili-second to think through what I was going to say next.
Did I fail to mention what time it was? Yah, that's PM.
You see Josh has "high school-itis" and has had a little trouble bridging the gap between jr. high and high school. Knowing this, instead of telling him to get in bed it's too late to be cooking anything, I decided to give him a break. We all could use a little break once in a while, right? You know those days like when you shopped early for that night's meal and realize you forgot one of the main ingredients. And how it's now close to dinner prep time. Back in car to the market. Elderly man wearing hat driving a 1972 Le Baron cuts you off. As you pass him by you say to yourself "give me a break!" Yah, that's what I'm talking about. Those kind of days. We all have them.
Don't get me wrong. I'm a believer in consequences. It's in these times our children learn responsibility and what happens when we aren't paying attention. But on this night I chose to allow Josh a "do-over." Do you ever wish you had a do-over? I do. And I know you do too.
Me - Okay Josh, I'll see what I can come up with.
Into the kitchen I go. Of course this would be the night that our cupboards are bare before stocking up at the store. Let's see. Something German. We have peanut butter. Saltines. Soup. Taco sauce.
But, low and behold, on the bottom shelf of the pantry is a bag of potatoes. Yes! I will make German potato salad! Problem is I've never made this in my life. Google the recipe. Calls for white wine vinegar. Check the cabinet. We have red wine vinegar. That'll do. It also called for white mustard. Didn't know something like that existed. We have powdered yellow mustard. That'll do. Bacon, check! No green onions, but kids don't like those anyway.
See all the pretty bowls at 10:30 pm? It's amazing what happens when you don't sweat it.
Not too appetizing looking, but we aren't going to sweat it, right?
So there we were late at night making German potato salad. It was a cooking lesson opportunity. And time together laughing and taste testing. We both agreed that the end result was that it "didn't taste bad." More laughing.
What a great reminder it was for me as I crawled into bed at midnight that it's wise to not sweat the small stuff. I encourage you to do the same the next time you are faced with a similar situation. Trust me, as a Mama, you will encounter these situations often. I am learning that the way I react to things has more of an impact on my kids compared to anything I could ever tell them. Showing them is where the example is.
Reaction is an action. How will you react next time? What if your hubby calls and tells you he invited Chuck and Henrietta over for dinner tonight? Or you walk into your kitchen where the kids have left a mess? Someone cuts you off on the road? Stole your parking space? Are you going to freak out, have a cow, flip your lid, blow up?
My encouragement to you is to count to ten if you have time, and react in a manner that is appropriate for the situation at hand. Is it worth it to you to get all worked up? Who's watching your reaction? This little thing that you do will have a big impact on the outcome!
I'm joining in on Tuesdays Unwrapped over at Chatting at the Sky.
October 28th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
You are such a good mama! He will remember that night for the rest of his life, I'm sure of it. I could definitely use to not sweat the small stuff now and then. I do it too often!
~Michelle
October 28th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
You are such a great example as a mother! He will remember this and he'll remember how wonderful you were about this whole thing.
October 28th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Marie,
Great mama you are I love this story!!! I have done similar with my two sons and it has truly been soemthing to them that they never forget. My blessing and reward now that my oldest is almost twenty two he spoils his mama!!! Thank you for such a great reminder I need this for my six year old.
Hugs
Kate
October 28th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
What a great time to spend with ur son! I was just talking to my sister about this. We both have toddlers and are trying to always react with grace! Thanks for the encouragement!
October 28th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
sometimes it is easier said than done but we gotta try! i find i do better if i'm well rested
great that you saved your son from himself - we could all use a break once in awhile
October 28th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
with two boys in high school I sure enjoyed reading this post..my guys always appreciate it when I cut them some slack~we all deserve that now and then
)
October 28th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Enjoy those moments! I would love to have my Amber back for just one more day just for hugs all day!! Take it from me Don't sweat the small stuff! I would have done the same thing as you did.
Blessings,
Donna
October 28th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
As a mother of grown children, I must say, you TOTALLLY get it! Parents need to learn to pick their battles and some just aren't worth the ammunition. He learned a great deal more from the experience you gave him than he would have learned from consequences at that time. Give yourself a treat. Your deserve it.
Charla
October 28th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
I always find the humor in situations like this, more so later on than when they are currently happening. You are right; no need to sweat the small stuff. Just move forward and carry on. This story reminds me of the time I was seeing my grade school aged daughter out the door on her way to school. As she's walking down the steps, she turns around and says, "oh, I need a package of pipe cleaners for a project today". The scary part of this story was that I had a package on hand! It's one of my favorite "don't sweat it" memories!
You are a good mom and he learned a lot by the way you handled the situation. Good job, mom!
Nancy
October 28th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Excellent advice. I think I tend to overreact quite a bit. I will take this advice to heart and congrats on your potato salad, it looked good to me!
October 29th, 2009 at 5:36 am
Great story...sounds like that could happen in my house any time! My son has the same ailment! I probably would have given him a break as well. You are quick on your feet coming up with German Potato Salad at such a late hour!
October 29th, 2009 at 6:59 am
Your story brought back fond memories of the night my son and I made Mexican food at midnight (for the same reason)!
He's 24 now and lives in Los Angeles (far from home). This week my book tour reached California and he's joining me as I travel the state. He took me to his favorite Mexican restaurant last night.
What goes around, comes around.
October 29th, 2009 at 7:27 am
As soon as I started reading your story my adrenaline start rising...and it's only 7:22am! it happened to me all the time especially my 16 year old. I do scream, you know the Sicilian in me. it don't let my husband hear me, he would send them to school without the project been done. Well it's been 2 years now that they haven't ask for any projects to be done at the last minute. What about Halloween, since they were little they decided on what to wear the day before! You are a good Mamma you know? Ciao Rita
October 29th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Great lesson! I wish I would have read this about 30 minutes ago when I realized my daughter didn't do all of her homework last night as we were about to walk out the door to school. I sorta "sweated" the small stuff
October 29th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Just wait until Josh is in his junior or senior year...then, you really don't sweat anything!!! LOL!!! Between us: I HATE when teachers ask for "traditional foods"...I have cooked so many "empanadas" for the Spanish class through out the years!! Come on teachers, my kid has no idea how to cook "empanadas" and I'm sick of them!!! LOL!!!!
October 29th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Personally, I would've waited until the morning and taken my wayward son to The Pancake House for a German Pancake (and bought a few extra for the class)...Hee Hee. But I see your point - and of course, you've inspired me again!
XOXOXO
Lyssie
October 29th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I will try and apply your advice when those little inconveniences pop up throughout the day. What you said is SOOO true- "the way I react to things has more of an impact on my kids compared to anything I could ever tell them." Kids pick up our habits good or bad.
Thanks for sharing that great story!
October 29th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
thank YOU so much for such a wonderful post. We all can take a lesson from you. I applaud you and your wonderful heart.
xo,
LuLu
October 29th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
You are a good mom! And yeah don't sweat it!
Hugs, Lisa
October 29th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Marie, Good advice! You're a good Mom!
Josh will probably always remember that night...especially when his son or daughter does the same thing one day. 
October 29th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Great Reminder! So true! We need to not freak out over the small stuff. There is way bigger fish to fry!
Good Job Momma!
October 30th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
This is great! After having kids, I've learned to not sweat a lot of stuff. Not a bad way to end the night.
October 30th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Great story! I often count to 10 out loud before speaking. Then I can respond without blowing up at my little ones. Sometimes we even end up laughing together because it wasn't that big of a deal in the first place.
Have a great weekend!
Melissa
October 30th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
You are so right! I learned a lot from my other two kids. Now with my youngest I don't get nearly as stressed out as I did back then. Stress is bad for you and I try to stay away from it. You were such a great mama for doing this with him. He will remember this!
Hugs,
Lee Laurie
October 30th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
You made a moment thatb hopefully nhe'll remember when he's faced with a similar situation when he's a dad...it's all about the moments to be sure.
October 30th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
LOL, I am having that experience right now with my 6th grader. It is 12:08 am and I am still up helping him with a scout project he needs done before tomorrow morning for a merit badge.
October 31st, 2009 at 6:50 am
Aaahhh... How I needed this post today. I am often guilty of over-reacting and flying off the handle, then realizing later that it was stupid to have done so. I am going to try and be better at reacting to what bothers me.... Thank you my friend for your ruminations...
hugs, Sue
October 31st, 2009 at 6:51 am
Oh, I had to re-do my blog button and it created a new html code. If you want to come by and grab it to replace the old one, I'd appreciate it. ~ me
November 1st, 2009 at 6:54 pm
My dear, you have just stopped me from saying the wrong thing at the wrong time to someone. I do have to say something about the situation, but tomorrow is Monday and he's going to have a hard day (like every Monday) so it would be the wrong time to bring up the "small stuff". Thank you. It was the perfect timing to read your post.
November 10th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
You are awesome! It seems I've been needing little reminders like these lately, and your post has been wonderful to read.
And now I'm hungry...German potato salad is one of my favorite things.
November 10th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
As a high school Spanish teacher, I LOVE this post. I'm the teacher that is always saying, "Okay guys, seriously, if you wait until the night before the food is due to tell your mama about this, she isn't going to be too thrilled with you!" I love that you and your son made a German potato salad together at 10:30 at night.... and thanks for the reminder to give kids a "do-over" every now and again. I need to keep that in mind every now and then.
November 10th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Oh, man. I admire your patience. I would have TOTALLY FLIPPED OUT. Thanks for the reminder to have fun while they're still under our roof.
November 10th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Thanks for this wonderful advice!
November 10th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Oh, a mom that gives her kids a do-over - now there's a special gift. What a beautiful insight. And story. Thanks.