Focus:
the concentration of attention or energy on something
At this moment, my two older children – Mara, 3 1/2, and Robbie, 2 – are sitting quietly looking at flashcards and books while I drink a fresh cup of coffee and type out a 30-minute blog post. I’m feeling a little triumphant because they are being obedient – still and quiet. No talking. (Robbie just sneezed but I guess that’s allowed…).
This moment is brought to you by the word FOCUS. We have lots to work on here in the Mueller household. I’m still trying to get them to say Yes Ma’am, they still whine, we have incredibly long and messy dinnertimes, we go through 3,000 rolls of toilet paper a month due to their unrolling habits, etc.
But what I’m getting to understand is that I can’t fix it all at once, and when I try, I just get so overwhelmed that I quit trying on anything. Then we really do have chaos. This last week I’ve chosen to focus on a few habits I want to build and behaviors I want to correct. One of them is having a regular quiet time every morning. The first day involved lots of correction: “No, be still. Shh. Don’t talk. Mara, don’t talk. Robbie, you can’t talk either. Look at your book. No, Robbie, stay on the rug. Mara, whispering is still talking. No, you can’t ask questions right now. Shh. Shh. Hush. Shh.” And so on.
But they started getting it. We did pretty good, had quiet time several days in a row, and then one day we were busy and I forgot. The next morning, in the middle of playtime, Mara stopped and said, “Mommy, are we going to have quiet time today?” I was kind of shocked, because it was a hopeful question. She actually enjoys this enforced quiet time? Really?
But then… I started thinking. Focus. I takes focus for me to order my days and be sure the most important things get done. At times this means leaving other things, less important things, undone. That’s difficult for me.
Imagine being three years old. Imagine all the options of play time, of a day at home. Imagine all the conflicts possible. Imagine all the decisions you have to make, and none of them are insignificant to your three-year-old brain.
It took some faith for me to focus, and to receive limits in my life as a gift from God instead of a deprivation. And that’s what this quiet time is for Mara and Robbie. It’s a deprivation, of sorts, because there are imposed limits. But it’s also a time where they are free to focus on one thing, sink into one book or small art project or simple toy, and focus their attention without the pull of other options. In learning how to focus for myself, I am giving my children the same gift that I am receiving.
Thank You, Jesus. We need some more of that good stuff around here.
What are you focused on today?
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This post is part of the
30-minute blogging challenge at Steady Mom.
