Monday, 25 January 2021

You are more than just a mom

 

*This post includes affiliate links

You are more than JUST a mom!
Do you ever feel like you are losing yourself in this motherhood role? You used to have passions, hobbies, an identity.

I wear many hats and play many roles as a mother, wife, sister, daughter, business owner, etc. As a Christian another identity I have is in Christ. I am a daughter of the Most High God! A daughter of the King! Wow that is powerful.

Listen to the podcast here:


Read Galatians 4:4-7


Motherhood changes everything. It turns your life around and consumes you. Your tiny precious baby needs all your attention. Even as they grow children need you. But it can begin to feel like that has become your identity. I want to remind you my friend that you are more than just a mom. Don’t get me wrong, being a mother is to be honored and is very worthy. But you are more. Don’t lose yourself in the journey of parenting. Your children can see that and you will too. Resentment, bitterness, longing, and depression can set in when you think of all the other things in life you had wanted to do.  

I remember slowly packing away more and more of my craft supplies with each new baby I brought home. We needed the space and my handiwork was not a priority. I love to be creative and crafting is my outlet. I didn’t notice the difference in me at first as I was too busy with my boys, but as time went on I began to miss it. One day while cleaning my closet I brought out the sewing machine. My boys were fascinated and asked me to show them how it worked. This opened up a whole new way for my children and me to connect. 

Be sure to keep up with your hobbies, passions, and interests. Share what brings you joy with your family. Not only is it a great model for being a healthy adult, but it will bring you closer too. Your kids want to get to know the real you.

Someone else wants to get to know the real you too. When I say you are more than just a mom, I want you to know you are a daughter too. Not only do you have your earthly parents but, you have a loving Heavenly Father who cares deeply for you. 



You are a daughter of the King! You, yes you the one reading this. You are a princess and joint-heir with Jesus Christ. Can you feel the power and overwhelming love wrapped up in those statements? 

In the same way that your children depend on you for all things, so we can depend on God. He will provide for all your physical needs. Our wonderful Father also gives us wisdom, love, forgiveness, and even correction. As you move through these devotionals think about how your relationship with God is also a reflection of your relationship with your children. As you are growing closer to God, learning principles and truths, you can also apply these to your children. You have many roles in life and, many relationships with family, friends, and work. You are a daughter and a mother learning and guiding at the same time. Some of you may even be trying to re-parent yourself as you parent your children. Never forget who you are, whose child and daughter you are.


Watch on YouTube:



If you'd like to get in on the discussion, I'll be reading one devotional from my new book every other week. Join me in the Gentle/Peaceful Parenting Community to listen in live and share your thoughts.


Joyful Motherhood is a 31 day devotional for busy moms. Deepen your connection with God and your children. Now available on Amazon and Kindle. For more information and a free 5 day sample, visit Joyful Motherhood




Amazon Canada Amazon USA


Connect with Meaghan of Joyful Mud Puddles

Joyful Motherhood devotional www.joyfulmudpuddles.com/joyful-motherhood

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Monday, 18 January 2021

Being Highly Sensitive

 


*This post does contain affiliate links.*


I am sure you noticed that social media only shows what people want you to see. I am hear to break through that barrier and show you the real me. You may not know that I got overwhelmed and burned out just before Christmas. Thanks to scheduling posts and episodes you never noticed. Today I'm sharing some tips on how to help deal with the overwhelm and about being a highly sensitive person.


In this episode I talk about:

  • Overwhelm - how to handle it
  • Highly sensitive - what it means
  • Super powers - benefits
  • What I'm doing to help myself
  • Highly sensitive parenting
  • Highly sensitive entrepreneur


Overwhelm 

When you are feeling overwhelmed try to pause and pray. Share your worries with God and get those thoughts out of your mind. Even just speaking them aloud helps to stop the cycle of worry.

Cut out what you can from your schedule so you have a moment to breath. If you have obligations, then perhaps let go of some high expectations you have set for yourself in other areas. 

It is okay relax. In fact it is essential. As a highly sensitive person self-care and down time are needed so you can prioritize what lies ahead to move forward.


What does it mean to be highly sensitive

A highly sensitive person (HSP) is a term for those who are thought to have an increased or deeper central nervous system sensitivity to physical, emotional, or social stimuli. 

The highly sensitive person (HSP) has a sensitive nervous system, is aware of subtleties in his/her surroundings, and is more easily overwhelmed when in a highly stimulating environment. (Dr. Elaine Aron The Highly Sensitive Person) 

This can include external stimuli, like your surroundings and the people you’re with, or internal stimuli, like your own thoughts, emotions and realizations. (Highly Sensitive Refuge)


Super powers

  • Emotional awareness 
  • Great empathy 
  • Passionate 
  • Sense of justice and fairness 
  • Sees beauty all over 
  • Appreciates small things 
  • Contentious 
  • Notices subtleties 
  • Creative 
  • Deep thinkers 
  • Self-aware



Highly Sensitive Parent

You may notice these things about yourself: 

  • More attuned to your children’s needs and emotions. 
  • Take on others emotions easily 
  • Overwhelmed easily by loud noises 
  • Feel deeply 
  • Thrive on routine 
  • Sensitive to sensory input 
  • Find you need more frequent breaks and down time

What may help: 

  • The key challenge is learning to handle the stress and sensory overload that can accompany raising a child 
  • Simplify your life (environment, schedule, rhythm, clutter) 
  • Check in with your body often 
  • Self-care and coping skills are essential 
  • Find a support network (I'd be honoured to be part of that)
  • Don't take on everyone's issues


Resources Mentioned


Digital homeschool conference Homeschooling your special needs child

Myer Briggs test

Highly sensitive quiz


Other Resources

Highly Sensitive Person website

Highly sensitive person book

Highly Sensitive Parenting

Highly Sensitive Child 

Raising Your Spirited Child

Raising your Spirited Baby

Marketing to your personality website



Connect with Meaghan


Website: www.joyfulmudpuddles.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/joyfulmudpuddles

Instagram: www.instagram.com/joyfulmudpuddles

Joyful Motherhood - daily devotional

Joyful Parenting - parent coaching

Link to Joyful Mud Puddles resources

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Thursday, 14 January 2021

Creating a Family Vision Board

 



I had an incredible podcast interview with Debbie Sluys this week. While we were chatting I became so inspired to create a family vision board for our year. Working as a family, you can create a picture of what your family values, and what goals you have for the year. 

This would also be an amazing activity for each family member to do personally. 


Why is a vision board effective

When we focus our attention on where we want to go, what we value most, and what is most important, we begin to move towards those things. Our actions and decisions are influenced by what is foremost on our mind. A vision board helps to create a visual reminder of our goals and dreams.

Our mindset determines our feelings, actions and results. A vision board can be a great way to represent a positive growth mindset.


How to create a family vision board

First decide if this will be a group or individual project. You could do both on separate days.

Ask yourself reflective questions. What is most important to you and where do you want to be going in life?

Gather supplies. You can get as simple or crafty as you'd like. The goal is to inspire your vision of the future. Choose what size you'd like your project to be. You can use canvas, foam core, poster board, computer paper...

Add photos, words, quotes and more to make your vision board come alive.

Share your board with others. Talk about it and get excited.

Display your vision board proudly. Look at it often and make steps to more towards your goals.


Questions to ask and reflect on

  • What is important to us as a family?
  • What activities would we like to do this year?
  • What experiences would we like to have?
  • What are our favorite things, activities, hobbies?
  • What goals do we have?
  • What character qualities are important to us?
  • What parts of life do we enjoy right now?
  • What kind of difference do you want to make in the world?


Ideas of what to include

  • Photos
  • Magazine or printing pictures
  • Stickers
  • Quotes
  • Verses
  • Doodles
  • Writing
  • Lists
  • Notecards
  • Post-It Notes

    Here is my Pinterest board for Family Vision Board


Connect with Meaghan of Joyful Mud Puddles

Joyful Motherhood devotional www.joyfulmudpuddles.com/joyful-motherhood


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Monday, 11 January 2021

Creating a vision for your year- Interview with Debbi Sluys



In my New Years message, I spoke about creating goals for your year and choosing one word. I knew right away that I wanted to chat with Debbie Sluys about creating a vision for our year.

Listen to the podcast here:

Meet Debbi Sluys

Debbi Sluys specializes in helping people elevate and improve their physical, mental and spiritual well-being, expanding the brain’s potential, and with living intentionally in a state of gratitude and kindness. With nearly 30 years experience in early childhood development, Debbi has gathered a wealth of valuable knowledge about the power of mindset, visioning and success. With her background in professional development and skills in public speaking, Debbi can help you use your brain’s full capacity to reveal your individual dreams, discover your “whys” and accomplish your personal destiny.

Debbi has studied personal development and success for over 20 years, leading people to become their best selves. She has witnessed the science at work and will guide you through it, empowering men and women to find their joy and “Dare to Declare” their destiny.

Debbi guides people to create a clear vision for their future. Allowing themselves the indulgence of being creative and “playful”, people then expand by adding supportive visuals that slowly uncover their dreams and true potential.

Debbi is an enthusiastic and caring Mother, loves children, creativity, travel and sunsets. She is inspired to be living her life’s passion and purpose helping people to vision and soar!



When we create a vision we are pushing past what we just know and trusting and believing in His (God's) blueprint for our lives.


In this episode we talk about:

  • Debbi introducing her self
  • Debbi's career move from daycare manager to vision boards
  • Why it is important to have a vision for your future
  • How the brain builds connections - Debbie Mentions Carolyn Leaf
  • The power of Images -Power of Vision Board Images
  • Creating a vision for yourself personally and your family
  • What does it look like to work with Debbi
  • Reflection questions
  • Your power word for the year

 


How to decide your power word for the year


Chose one word that is inspiring, motivating, and action inducing, that you can use as your lens.



SPECIAL OFFER! WORKSHOP DETAILS


Connecting with Debbi Sluys 

www.Dare2Declare.com

Debbi Sluys (@debbisluys) • Instagram photos and videos

Debbi Sluys (facebook.com)


Be sure to join the Gentle / Peaceful Parenting Community to share your power word for the year and connect with other like minded families.


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Monday, 4 January 2021

New Year- New Goals

Happy New Year! I am excited because this is a fresh new year with new possibilities. Although we can not tell what this year is going to be like, we do know our God is unchanging and steadfast. We can have peace going in to this year with confidence.


 Listen to the podcast here:


What are your goals for your family? 
What is your long term vision for your family?

Let's talk about:
One word for the year
Taking baby steps
Recommitting to gentle parenting
Connecting with me

My one word, my goal for myself this year is ABIDE. I came across this work while reading John 15. Jesus reminds us to remain/abide in Him. I feel like the word abide is more impactful than remain. I will cling to, remain, stand firm in my faith to the LORD.

For my family my goal is CONNECTION. I didn't speak to this as much on the podcast episode. But I would like to have a deeper connection with my children and to help them work on their relationships with each other. 

After months of being together, they are starting to get more frustrated with each other rather than closer. I am planning to avoid our usual winter cabin fever this year!

Something we need to remember is that when we try to take on too many changes at once, we often fail, burnout, or give up. Try making baby steps, or doing one small doable change. 


In committing to be a more gentle peaceful parent you may face some challenges. Parenting is difficult. Add to that a pandemic and social distancing, it can be even harder. Here are some links that may help.
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