I will not fret…

…over school time starting late because the Boy made me tea while I was in the shower and then tea for himself and his sisters and they needed time to sit together and drink it.

…over dinner being so late because I finally read to the Girl instead of starting it, as I had been promising for over an hour.

…over the unfolded laundry because I replied to a friend instead.

…over the coat and clothes strewn across the couch that mean my husband is home for the night.

…over careless words that hurt, but were not aimed at me nor given that intent.

…over the endless and overwhelming list of things to do. I will simply do what’s next.

…over the constant barrage of sound that comes from my children when they are having the most fun together, however grating.

…over simple meals to replace those I planned but ran out of time for. Their bellies are full.

…over late lunch and nap because the Boy was actually enjoying multiplication excercises and time got away from us.

…over puzzles and games on the floor that they entertained themselves with while I was busy elsewhere.

…over holes in the same knee of every single pair pants. They means he’s playing hard and having fun.

…over makeup applied with a felt marker, one sister to another.

…over how slowly things move when people are doing them for free.

…over things I have not yet learned how to do. I will eventually.

…over anything else that is not worth fretting over, however much my first impulse may be to do just that.

You know you have them. What are you not going to fret over today?

all content © Carrien Blue

13 thoughts on “I will not fret…

  1. I will not fret over skipping school entirely today because I have a newborn and I overslept, and just couldn't get it together to start our routine. The kids are playing nicely together, being creative and having fun.
    (I also will not fret over the things you are not fretting over. I can relate to every single one.)

  2. I will not fret over skipping school on Monday because our homeschool co-op was canceled, or skipping Tuesday because we had cousins visit, or skipping Wednesday because we had a huge and fun snow storm, or skipping Thursday because our public school kids are still home because school is still closed – Ok, well, I am fretting a little – but I think it will pass 🙂

  3. …over the disaster that was my kitchen after my 2 older children made me tea to help with my cold and served it to me on a tray with a cloth napkin.

    …over the back hall strewn with boots, puddles of melted snow, wet snowpants and mittens which I fortunately discovered and arranged so everything would be dry by morning.

  4. Do I ever hear the idea of working NOT to fret over the sound of children playing hard and well, no matter how grating. What is it about that constant noise that brings such tension to my neck?

  5. I will not fret over how to answer the approximately 300 questions my 5 year old will ask me tomorrow about anything and everything. Or the 300 on the day after that. He is curious and smart and it is delightful. I will also not fret over the baby's new discovery of her vocal chords, and her desire to test them. Constantly. All Day. At high volume. She is a baby and her voice is exciting to her. I will not fret. I will not. Thank you for the reminder.

  6. I will not fret over learning that the library here is closed two days a week and the DMV is open every other Friday.

    We moved here for a slower pace of life, and to let go of some of the instant gratification that comes with suburban life.

  7. Yup, I'll take your list. The holes in the knees thing though, it's a little different in Alaska wintertime. Still. . . I can't afford to replace them and patches don't really work very well. 🙂

  8. The grating noises from children having fun really gets to me, too. My three children all constantly hum, sing or narrate to themselves, and it makes me batty! Especially because they are never all doing the same song. :eyes crossed:
    But I have learned to diffuse it by putting on some music that I like. Classical music is especially helpful, but all types work. Calms the savage child. 🙂 Miss you. Wish we were sharing that cup of tea.

  9. Whenever I feel like those things are overtaking me, along with self-condemnation – it's good to hear a still, quiet voice say, "Cease striving, be still and know that I am God". That gives me permission to just stop all the fretting, and be still. Young moms have so much to do – you're amazing – you're homeschooling your kids, working on your foundation and all that pertains to it, cooking, cleaning, etc., etc., and you're pregnant. So be good to yourself! Hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day.

  10. Whenever I feel like those things are overtaking me, along with self-condemnation – it's good to hear a still, quiet voice say, "Cease striving, be still and know that I am God". That gives me permission to just stop all the fretting, and be still. Young moms have so much to do – you're amazing – you're homeschooling your kids, working on your foundation and all that pertains to it, cooking, cleaning, etc., etc., and you're pregnant. So be good to yourself! Hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day.

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