not anymore, dear little one

Do you have one loved little one, like me, that’s always screaming for your attention . . . always interrupting things? 

Do you have one that no matter how hard you try and how calm you attempt to make your surroundings, will always squawk just as you’re sitting down to dinner or just as you’re about to get settled in to read a book or play a family game at night? 

Do you have one little one that is taking way too much of your time and making it hard to concentrate or do the things you used to love?

I do too, and I’ve tried everything.  I know we’re all a work in progress and so I tell myself and others, “We’re working on this.”  

We’re not supposed to let those leering, judgemental eyes bother us, but those looks had really started getting to me.  Maybe you’re much stronger than I and can ignore the heavy sighs and sneers and rolls of the eyes, but I couldn’t. 

I began to doubt my decisions and choices.  

When we made plans to bring this one little one home, it was impossible to foresee and know how vastly different our lives were going to change in shape, and not all for the better.

This little one has numerous unique and entertaining qualities, truly! That’s one of the reasons it’s easy to get sucked into all the shenanigans, right?

But, let me tell you, this isn’t what I signed up for. It was time for me to be the parent and be the boss. 

I realized that by giving this one little one so much attention, I was unintentionally making all the other ones feel less than, and not as valued. I just knew I had to do something drastic, to establish clear boundaries and reverse the situation.

Please don’t judge me and if you want to tell others . . . fine. What I came up with to quiet down the little one, the one that had started to scatter us and make my brain all squeezy and topsy-turvy is this:  I now place that little one in a gentle, overnight time-out, an early bed-time if you will, starting at around five pm each and every evening.  

I’m sorry, but sometimes you have to take drastic measures when you feel like your brain is continually on fire. 

I know it’s unconventional, but I was desperate, and implementing this plan brought almost immediate tranquility to our hours together before sleep. 

I felt terribly guilty at first, almost criminal, when my friends and family outside our home said things in outrage like, “You can’t do that!” and “What will other people think when you don’t respond to that little one?”

But, this method works beautifully. The other ones within our home are unapologetically thankful and giddy, because peace has been restored.

Sometimes, we must commit to making sacrifices and tough decisions that can be difficult but contribute to the overall health of our families.

And sometimes our little ones must be taught and realigned. What they say and do to us can impact others not only for the good, but surely for the bad as well.   

I let that certain one out just after breakfast every morning (sometimes earlier if I’m feeling risky or sort of ambitious) and I feel renewed and empowered – ready once more to take on all the racket and handle whatever comes my way.

Who knew that such a small little one, one small little SMARTPHONE could have the immense weight and power that it does . . . but no siree, dear little one, NOT anymore.

Ephesians 5 : 15 – 17 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.