Hi, hello, welcome. This week’s newsletter is basically last week’s. Now you know, so let’s go…
Actually, my face is falling. It started 45 years ago and it won’t stop for another 45 (or so).
I’ve never put a needle in my face. I’m holding out, but for what, I have no idea. It’s downhill from here and you and I both know it. Listen, I’m not for or against Botox, fillers, and all that jazz. I just haven’t made it part of my routine.
(Cue my stepmom’s text in response to what she just read: “Don’t do it!” :)
I don’t dye my hair, either, but I only have 3 grays. Now, I’m just bragging.
Back to my face. Rather, let’s move on.
Try This With the Kids
Let’s say you ask your child to clean their room. They said, “I did” and hit the shower.
While they’re cleaning themselves, you pass their bedroom and notice they absolutely did NOT clean their room. It’s a f’ing disaster. Hideous. Frightening. A total shit show.
Upon exiting the shower you say, calmly, “You said you cleaned your room. I notice it wasn’t done. What happened?”
That’s it!
Insert any issue and you have a positive interaction.
No anger. No accusations.
This strategy puts you on the side of your child. You’re not against them and you’re not shaming them. You’re assuming the very best. “They must have forgotten.” (As if!)
I did this with Owen. I picked him up from school and said, “I asked you to clean your room before you left this morning. I notice you didn’t. What happened?”
He said, “I didn’t have time.”
I said, almost empathetically, “Oh, okay. Well, you have time now.” Upon returning home, he cleaned his room. Just like that.
The formula again: “You said X. I noticed Y. What happened?”
You Miss Seeing Romeo
It’s hard for the non-cat lovers on this newsletter to admit they miss seeing my cats. So, here’s one to satiate you. 🐱
A Time for Doing
When life’s tiny tasks jump into your purview, set a timer and get ‘er done.
“Hey Siri, set a timer for 3 minutes,” then unload the dishwasher. That’s about how long it takes, by the way.
This morning, “Hey Siri, set a timer for 8 minutes,” and I folded the clothes from the dryer. I had a minute leftover.
It’s so simple. It helps remind us these chores weighing on us don’t take all that much time.
Draw Together
During the pandi, illustrator and extraordinary lady, Wendy MacNaughton rescued us with a drawing lesson on Instagram in a series called, Draw Together.
Wendy saved those of us with children. In each episode, she taught us to draw something—cupcakes, treehouses, lighthouses, candy lands. For 30-minutes the kids were occupied with something that enriched their souls. I jumped in a few times, too.
Fast forward two years and Emma’s asking to watch Wendy again. It’s just as we remember. Awesome! Now, she has a full-on studio and Draw Together is legit—people loved it that much.
I highly encourage you to put your kids in front of a device, with paper and pens, and turn on Draw Together. You. Are. Welcome.
going to try and use that template for getting kids to do what you've asked of them... so many opportunities;) re: facial upkeep/to keep up.. the only thing I know is that my (or anyone's) say, 30 year old self's, opinions on never using botox and fillers *doesn't count* such naivete. glad you're able to keep the newsletter going with your new job: )