Yesterday the kids decided they wanted to go to Chick-Fil-A for lunch. I said we couldn’t go that day (I was fasting, and going out to NOT eat would up the discomfort level from “sacrifice” to “torture”) and did they want me to heat up some frozen chicken nuggets? (I know, I know—but they’ll actually eat them, and I always serve something healthy alongside.)
Yes, said Miss Pink, and could I make fruit salad like they have at CFA? So I made some out of apples, grapes, and mandarin oranges. Mr. Blue had chocolate milk and Miss P had regular, just like at the restaurant. Every so often they would leave the table to play on the playground—which as far as I could tell, consisted of their dad’s recliner serving as a slide.
Miss Pink kept saying, “This is just like Chick Fil A!” At one point she said, “You know what, Mommy? When we wanted to go to Chick Fil A and we couldn’t, instead of getting upset about it, we worked it out!”
“Yes, you did,” I agreed, “and I’m very proud of you.”
Sometimes the way to happiness is adjusting your expectations and finding a way to enjoy what you DO have instead of bemoaning what you don’t. Chalk that one up to “lessons my kids have taught me.”
Later they had an Easter egg hunt with their baskets and about six empty plastic eggs from last year. They had a lot of fun, and although I don’t think the Easter bunny can get away with leaving empty eggs for them, I reminded myself to enjoy the years of low expectations.
WOW. I feel like this post was directed at me in particular. I was talking with my therapist about adjusting expectations today. How I would be so much happier if I could just let go of the expectation of a normal mother and accept that mine is mentally ill. Anyway, won't ramble too much, but thanks for the reinforcement in the form of your post. Sometimes kids really do have the right idea!
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