I Am

I have just come back to say that the class looks fab, I have had a very pleasant couple of hours watching, reading and planning. This has come just at the right time for me. I look forward to the email tomorrow. Thanks.

So many honest and insightful comments from you guys, it's always inspiring and thought provoking. In support of why we need to be present, and be able to empathize with our kids, read any of Stanley Greenspan's amazing parenting books. 'Great Kids'is one of my favourites, but 'The Challenging Child' is also really helpful.

I love this post and reading what everyone says. It really spoke to me - that i need to stop and turn when my children want to tell me something and really pay attention, not just brush them off.

On the other hand, who's listening to ME! I have a wonderful, supportive husband who can go on and on and on about the same subject and I want to just say "SHUT UP" sometimes. I never do, but if I wanted to go on and on about something equally as (in)significant, I'd never get the same attention back. I'm lucky, I don't have big issues (today at least, lol) that I want to ramble on about but some days, I need to just let whatever is running in my head out and the only way to do that is to talk to myself :-)

Ok, thanks, now I DO feel better :-)

Ali, you are awesome, too!!

Hi Ali, great story writing, loved it - love that your getting outside and doing stuff in the garden, this is so rewarding and good for the soul, love that your reading and inspiring us again and again, thanks for always sharing your live and also your challenges with us all- you are so AWESOME- SO AWESOME that l have included you in my PL this week, l had kept every Creating Keepsake mag l had from 2005, because of the AE Studio write ups, but storage has become a problem and l had to mimimize my stash, so l took out all my favorite sections of the mags , and now l have a AE STUDIO binder and other 2 on Becky Higgins and other scrappers that l love, so l did a 2 sided baseball page on you and AE STUDIO, its nothing fancy - l kept it simple, but its a thanks for inspiring me for all these years, even if l dont scrap what everyone else has done it is a great inspiration book to have when l have a l cant do and think moment, l would love it if you popped over to my blog and had a look.www.kateadderley.blogspot.com --cheers

Hi Ali,
Just want to say hi from a 31T student ... I loved the first prompt and can't wait to do the rest! I have been writing for a long time and recently finished a big project ... your prompts will help fill the void!
Best wishes to you.

I love what you have to say. It reminds of a previous post that links to a blog where we are reminded that just saying "I love watching you be you" is a great thing for kids to hear and feel.

But what jumped out at me is Bubble Guppies. I recently found Bubble Guppies with my 4 year old grand daughter. What cute little show. She loves it and I enjoy enough to sit with her while she watches it. It is now on our list of favorites when she visits.

"How can I be calm for you so you can learn to be calm too.” Calm heart, calm mind, calm voice and a big deep breath.

Thank you for writing those words. My two little boys are particularly ornery today. This will be my mantra until bedtime. Only five more hours... :-) Thanks.

Ali as I read this & all the comments & have tears in my eyes. At the moment I am struggling to be calm & there is a lot of yelling & fighting between me &my eldest daughter. I am trying the Hands Free Mama thing when my girls are around, I had an experience the other day...no signal on my phone so I couldn't surf at the cafe like I usually would so I engaged with my middle daughter, reading stories & looking at recipes, I really enjoyed the moment I would have missed if I had my hands full.
I just did an insert for my project life of a note from my daughter (age 9) saying "you are the best mum EVER" & she gave me that note on the evening of a day when the fights we had in the morning were terrible, it made me glad that she still sees me as the best mum even when I am at my worst, I still see her as the best too, but I should tell her more. I hope to gain more best mum points by taking to heart what you have said.
I am going to quote your words in my project life & my one little word albums "How can I be calm for you so you can learn to be calm too" thank you as always for your inspiration, you are amazing.

I love reading your blog. You are truly an inspiration. Great post.

Beauitful. Really enjoying 31 days... You inspire me to want to write better. And I always love your book suggestions.

I find it funny that your local pool in Oregon is open, but my neighborhood pool in Houston, TX doesn't open for 2 more weeks.

On another note...I am fully embracing the 31 Things class. I've completed day one and two and I'm loving the time to sit down and think about and reflect on ordinary things.

Ali,

This is one of my most favourite posts from you. I, too, struggle with staying calm in the midst of chaos from my twin boys. There are times when I end up in tears because of guilt and the thought that I'm probably the worst parent because I should've handled it better and didn't.

I sometimes wonder what and how much of their early childhood they will remember(they are 6 now)and if they will remember most, the times when I have failed to be the best parent? I shudder and resolve to try even harder with the next challenge.
Thank you for sharing and inspiring me to do even better.

Ali,

Thanks for always being an inspiration through your words, photos, and willingness to share your life. This post inspired me to write something similar: http://iwannabemewhenigrowup.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-am.html. I always enjoy your words and am loving 31 things (I'm not active in the class but I'm loving the daily emails and am writing more again).