Nurturing Momma

I didn’t realize how important being nurturing was to me until a recent conversation I had with my sister-in-law, Susan, and my friend, Cathy:

Cathy: I worry about having a second baby now. I am worried that since the second baby will be born when Harrison is going into Kindergarten, I won’t be able to give him enough attention while he’s making that transition. What if he needs help with his homework but I’m too busy with the baby?

Susan: I think you are too focused on nurturing your kids. I mean, no one ever helped my parents with their homework and they turned out just fine.

Holly: *totally dumbfounded and rendered completely speechless* (inside voice: Are you kidding me?!? Seriously?!? You’re nurturing your kids too much by making sure you are there for them when they need you?!?)

I want to be nurturing. I want my kids to know that I will be there for them when they need me. I want them to know that I will always be there. I think that security is important to give them the courage to go out on their own.

Another friend had previously told me about a nurturing habit that she has with her two kids that I absolutely love. She puts the kids to bed 30 minutes or so before actual bed time. She takes those 30 minutes to sit with her kids and talk to them or read to them, just her and one of her children. She alternates nights with each of the children and whichever child she isn’t with, her husband is with. I love that! I especially like that each child has time alone to spend with mom and time alone to spend with dad.

I plan on starting my nurturing early. Before they can understand the concept of a parent being there to support them emotionally, they can understand the closeness of having a parent that is close physically. Hence, my new additions to my Things I Want list:

Did you use slings or carriers with your kids? How do you let your kids know that you are there for them?

My Things I Want List – Awesome Organizers

Let me start by saying that Paul may die laughing when he reads this post. While he is laughing hysterically he will be gasping: “Really? You want something to organize things with?” and then he will dissolve into more hysterical laughter.

Because, you see, I am not the most organized person. When my husband and I first met, I didn’t really understand why laundry should be put in the hamper instead of near the hamper. I also didn’t understand why you would walk all that way to put dishes in the dishwasher. Or why a dusting of flour didn’t give our kitchen character.

But I am mostly reformed now. My laundry is in the hamper. My dishes are in the sink or the dishwasher. My counters are cleaned after I bake (though I still haven’t mastered the art of not getting flour everywhere while I work . . . but at least I clean it up now!).

As part of my reformation process, I am becoming more organized. My course paperwork is in binders. Some of which have actual tabs. So, when I saw these bad boys, I couldn’t help but think: I want these for my closet!

Not only are these ridiculously cute and useful, but they come with pre-printed labels that are removable so you can switch them out as needed. And they are on sale for $12.99 on Zulily today. How can I resist?