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Ohana means family

Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten. 



This was the central message for our family Luauu tonight. I had the lesson for family home evening, and decided we needed something fun. 

It was pretty simple- a "Hawaiian style" meal, limbo, a hula hoop contest and game, and e watched some fire dancing on YouTube. 

It doesn't take much though to make for a good time together. 

My own personal lesson on what Ohana means came, after all the fun was over. 

I am NOT a fan of bedtime. (Don't get me wrong, I LOVE bedtime for the fact that the kids are now going to bed!) But it's a hard process when you have young children.

Tonight, after all the festivities (and a long, fun day enjoying the newly returned sunshine!) Anna and Reagan were quite worn out. But of course, that makes for an even more difficult time calming down for bed!

I usually read a story out of the Friend magazine, or sing a few songs. Tonight, I couldn't even get Anna in bed so I could do those. 

I knew I had two choices: 1- stick her in bed, and stand outside her room holding the door while she cried (and wait until she calmed down or fell asleep- a long, sad process). Or 2- summon all the patience I had and rock with her, talk with her, and take the extra time to help her calm down. 

Usually, I would go with choice number 1- because I'm exhausted and frustrated at the end of the day and simply cannot do it!

Or so I think. Tonight, I chose the second door. 

The one that seems harder, but in reality works so much better.

We rocked. I told her the story of The Ugly Duckling (and didn't force her to lay down or close her eyes while I told it!) We discussed how he felt when the other ducks teased him, and how he felt a longing when he saw the beautiful white swans. We sang Old McDonald had a Farm, together- complete with ducks, pigs and llamas (of which she has two stuffed friends!). And I didn't get mad when she didn't fall asleep while I was singing. 

I didn't worry about looking on my phone while I sang- attempting to ignore her enough that she would get bored at my presence and fall asleep. 

And you know what? It probably took just as long as choice number 1 would've, maybe a little longer. And I got to enjoy a quiet, happy moment with my little girl(s). 

I know it won't always work out so wonderfully. Some days are harder than others- and honestly I'm okay with the fact that bedtime isn't always kumbaya and rainbows. 

Because I'm realistic. 

But, having gotten a small taste of that calm this evening, maybe I'll be willing to save a little slice of patience from earlier in the day, in order to help both myself and my kiddos have pleasant dreams and bedtime memories. 

P.S. the sunshine is absolutely amazing! 



Comments

  1. MaryApril 21, 2020 at 9:32 AM

    Option 2 for the WIN! Sweethearts needed that extra love.

    ReplyDelete

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