It has been a long time since I have visited this space. I took a big break from my online life, as I felt, in all honestly, it wasn’t serving me very well. I felt many hours of my life were being withered away as a voyeur, watching, comparing, admiring the lives of my friends, but primarily distant acquaintances, and if I am honest, mostly strangers. With my own struggles, depressions, anxieties to tend to, I was feeling my computer played the role of distractor and agitator, helping to dredge up feelings of inadequacy and insecurity that live and hide in the corners and creases of my mind. Plus, and more importantly, my son is now 7, and wow, where did the time go? It is with a sense of urgency that I felt the need to be more present in his life, and sneaking peaks on my iPhone every 5 minutes wasn’t cutting it for him, or for me. Watching him grow has been the biggest source of joy (with a dash of melancholy) in my life.

I am a maker. The act of making things fills my soul. I make things to help me feel better. I make things because it is fun. When I design something, or cook something or craft something, I feel the shift. The dark parts get lighter, things are brighter, and I feel good. So I started making things rather than watching, and I will be sharing a bit more again.

Let me know what you think. What rituals feed your mind and soul? Do you make things, run, nap, meditate, play? I would love to hear what other moms/dads/friends do to get through the rough and bumpy spots. Also, how do you manage your iPhone and keep present in your life? Maybe you are like me struggling with it each day.

LEAFLETS

When we go out to eat or take a road trip, like most people, we play games, start conversations, draw, make paper airplanes to fill the wiggly spaces. The times when we are waiting for dinner to arrive and blood sugar has gotten a bit too low, I struggle to find distractions and fun to keep my son even and pleasant at the table. I jotted down some ideas that have worked for us, and made this little leaflet.

This printable can be a part of your arsenal; bring two or three to the restaurant to keep the kids busy and somewhat(!) well mannered at the table. I have also added a favorite recipe for banana ice cream pops. It’s pretty healthy and simple enough for kids can make themselves.

I will be posting more versions, so that you can change it up. Plus, I will be making leaflets for road trips, days at the park or beach for summer.

Download the printable HERE. It is a two page pdf, meant for you to print 2-sided. However you can print it out on 2 pages to keep things simple.