Shelbyville Shares

I’ve craved this weekend for too long. A weekend with very little planned. One where jammies are on til lunch time and nobody cares. One where odd jobs and a little TLC can be given to our home. While we embrace making a temporary mess (making pancakes for breakfast) all for the benefit of fun and connection.

We’re not yet half way through our extended ‘holiday’ weekend (Jimi and I are both off Friday/Monday – poor dad is working right through) and already I feel my cup has be re-filled. With that I find my self grateful for the experiences so far.

I’ve spoke about this blog being an opportunity for reflection and for the past couple of years I’ve recognised the important of reflection time to practice Gratitude. I’d love to say it’s a daily practice – it’s fair to say it’s a bit more ad hoc than that. I have my ‘take it for granted’ and selfish moments just like the rest. But would like to think I’ve ramped up my ‘Being Grateful’ ethos and attitude of late.

I find that this is something encouraged more and more and the simple fact of the matter is (a simple goggle search will tell you) taking time to practice Gratitude leads to Happiness. It leads to fulfilment. It’s a mood booster and something that supports mental health wellbeing.

I’ve been interested in all of this since our days of Trying to Conceive and Infertility Treatment. I swear I wouldn’t have survived it with out immersing myself in positive mantras and mindset managment tools. My acupuncturist recommended I read ‘The Magic’ by Rhonda Byrne (I’d already read ‘The Secret’) and that’s where my appreciation of Gratitude began.

As a parent I’m more and more aware of how important mindfulness is for our youngsters. Over the past 12 – 18 months I’ve introduced Gratitude to Jimi. As often as we can remember, as he gets ready for bed, Kenny or I will ask him to share three things he’s grateful for from his day. We then share ours. To me it’s like a modern day prayer. I couldn’t believe when we first did it just how much he understood the meaning of ‘Being Grateful’. He was only 4 years old and he just got it!

Just yesterday I received the order of the most beautiful book. A mindfulness and self care book for Parents and Children. It of course has a section on Gratitude with some fantastic activities to do with children. So today, Jimi and I plan to do one – Make a Gratitude tree for our home.

So to end on this Blog here’s a few thing that Jimi and I are grateful for this past couple of days:

Jimi

• An afterschool play date with Arran and Lewis
• Going to Flipout
• Getting a Donut yesterday

Me

• An evening out with my mum and sis and getting to see an Icon (Annie Lennox)
• Managing to Jump for an hour at Flipout without peeing myself 😂
• After dinner dancing and singing to music with Jimi and Kenny – perfect end of the day.

Find books here:

[guest blog post writing for http://www.forfrancesca.com]

I’ve not been myself lately…

My head is full. Full of thoughts. Full of memories. Full of things to do. Full of doubting myself. Full of worry. Full of mummy guilt.

I’ve found myself somewhat on edge recently. Fairly intolerant. Patience is thin and reactions are quick. My voice is raised more often than not and I find my best is given too often outside of our home.

On the rare occasion I have the space to reflect, I give myself a bit of a hard time and wonder whether my mental health is compromised much like it was when you were just a baby.

I am not myself lately, and you know why? We’re reaching a massive milestone and I now realise it’s been playing on my mind. I’ve been plodding along pretending it’s not actually happening, despite buying you a uniform, name labels, pencils, a school bag…

I am not myself lately and you know why? its because you, my IVF miracle, my only child, have turned 5 and you’re about to start school.

You’re my only child, not through choice, not for for any of us. And with that, this starting school milestone has hit me hard.

I’m not myself lately and I know why – I’m not ready.

I’m not ready to admit that the baby years are over. I’ll never get to do that again. I’m not ready for you to step into a new world. The one where you’ll accidentally call your teacher ‘Mum’ instead of ‘Miss’ cos you’ll spend more time with her than me. The one where you go to after-school club once a week while your dad and I are still at work. The one where you make friends for life, the ones you could be drinking pints with when you turn 18.

I’m not ready to hit the fast forward button onto the next speed. The past 5 years have already gone much faster than I ever thought possible.

But I need to make peace with all of this because it’s happening and you are ready. You are ready in so many ways. You are ready to keep learning and expand your mind. You’re ready for this next level of independence. You’re ready to show more of the world just how beautiful, compassionate, kind and fun you are.

So my boy, my beautiful amazing boy, I hope you know how exciting this new world is going to be. How much of an impact your going to have on those you meet. How much your going to learn and how much your going to teach your dad and I.

I hope you know how proud I am, we are. Of the wonderful character you’ve already become. We’re proud of all you have achieved and everything else you’re waiting to conquer.

To Jimi, my 5 year old miracle, the night before you start school. I love you…Go, be the Star you are!

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Guest blog by ShelbyVille

A forty something year old, married to her high school sweetheart and mummy to IVF miracle nine year old son.

Navigating my way through marriage, parenthood and full time working life all while squeezing in a hefty social calendar and desire to fill every spare moment with another ‘experience’ and opportunity to make memories.

Expect authentic and heartfelt musings with no specific routine, rhyme or reason.

Welcome to Shelbyville Shares,

Michelle

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