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Day 57

Looking back at a post from August last year, I was reminded of my own suggestion to Lose the Manual and just make the most of these formative years with our young family. I say this on the back of only just getting Ethan to sleep – how’s that for a BEDtime success but a bedTIME fail?

Turns out, as much as we Moms take whatever nap time we can get, if the nap goes into the 5pm time zone, we’re going to pay for it later!

As I lay there between my talkative five-year old and my restless two-year old, playing (reluctant) bed time Twister, I started to get anxious about when they would eventually give in to some sleep. Plus, the cooler nights now also make for a chilly bed time operation because the covers keep getting kicked off the side of the bed in all of the folly.

Earlier tonight (but still late enough to be bedtime), I walked in on Jorja spreading out a blanket on the floor – in airy arm, picnic laying movements. To her, the blanket on the floor would make for the perfect chill spot where she could enjoy some last minute TV viewing and a spot of tea. To me, she was gathering and spreading dust and leaves that only reminded me of my lack of housecleaning over the past weekend. And it was late. And she had seen this Disney show before. And she really didn’t need tea. Her fun was my fury. Her adventure was my anger.

That can’t be right.

And so – by sheer coincidence of wanting to see what was happening in our lives a year ago today – I came across the reminder to focus less on what the assumed family growing manual suggests and make the most of where we find ourselves right now. 

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