Do you settle into your working week like a graceful swan landing on a millpond?
What? You can’t relate to that?
You feel more like a deranged emu face-planting a large muddy puddle?
Hmmm. If so, what are you doing to help the week feel easier?
We all need a little help sometimes, and it can be hard if you aren’t living up to your own standards for coping.
Case in point, the other weekend Kev and I took our granddaughter to Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park in Dorset. If you’re the proud owner of an under 8-year-old, then you must visit this place - it’s brilliant and she had a lovely day playing on tiny tractors, swinging on swings, sliding into fluffy heaps of straw and giggling at the animals.
Entertainment sorted. The thing I always need a little help with when I’m in charge of said small person is nappy changing.
Now, when I say help, it’s not something even Grandpa Kev could easily assist with. To my granddaughter, nappy changes are a complete waste of her time and if she’s not in the mood, she’ll kick and shout and twist and flail like a loon.
An army of grandparents couldn’t hold her down!
If you’re dealing with a Code Brown, things get messy more quickly than Farmer Palmer rally-driving his Muckspreader 3000 through your house.
Back in the day, you just had to endure the Battle of the Nappy and hose yourself down afterwards.
But these days, there’s a secret weapon…
…Smart phones + Kids YouTube = Distracted, happy, relaxed baby and a swiftly changed bum.
Gasp!
I never thought I’d be That Granny. The one who gives their precious bunnykins a phone for entertainment. I used to find the whole concept of kids and screens repellent. My critical voice said kids mustn’t get hooked on tech so early.
Adults should protect them from the dangers of screen addiction by holding out on phones for as long as possible.
What can I say? I found a hack in a time of need and I caved on my own standards.
I still feel occasional pangs of shame that I don’t have the Granny Skills to smile and coo her into submission, but faced between the option of a quick hassle-free bum change or 10 minutes poop-wrestling a toddler, I chose the easy life every time.
Sometimes, days are hard enough without beating yourself up for not being perfect.
Lighten up on yourself when you hear the critical inner voice, and give yourself permission to get through the day as best you can, with all the help you can get.
If you’re struggling with something, ask yourself this questions:
What would make this easier? What can I do differently? Who could I ask for help?
There’s no shame in admitting you can’t do it all.