Natural Boy Mom: Focus!

Focus!

Last week I mentioned that our Golden Retriever, Murphy, was a little stinky. He definitely still needs a bath, but he does smell much better this week. We can hug him again without having to hold our breath! He does love his hugs! He’s like a big yellow puppy bear. (Teddy bear, yet a puppy at heart = puppy bear!). It is time to call the groomer and set up his trim and bath.

This week we are nearing the end of the school year and the boys are getting more and more excited to be done with it all! So am I for that matter. We’re in week 35 of 36! It is so tempting to just toss it all aside and call it good. However, since the weather isn’t great for being outside today (51 and soggy), we could just as well press on and get some school done.

Here are a few things we do to keep school rolling forward with focus:

Take breaks: Boys like to move. If I fight them on that, it becomes punishment for all of us. So we find a happy medium and get some work done, then move a little. Then we focus on school again.

Breakfast: It helps to include some protein and limit sugary foods. It’s tougher for all of us if sugar is included in breakfast. My husband and I like eggs. The boys, not so much. When I am intentional on getting them a small protein shake or something with protein in it for breakfast, it's easier for them to focus.

Grace: We all have our good days and not so good days. It is what it is. Talk it through it. Let it go and move on. No one is perfect. How many times has God forgiven us? A LOT!

Be Flexible: Life happens. Just a few weeks ago, one of my horses had a severe colic episode so I spent the day with her while my husband took over school with the boys. They did what they could for school even though their minds were on me and my horse, Dakota. I did end up having to put Dakota down and send her, with love, across the rainbow bridge; but was greeted with a lot of hugs when I finally came in. The next day we picked up what didn’t get done the day before, which was minimal. They do very well with their dad as teacher. I am so grateful that my husband was here and he jumped right in. He's a great substitute teacher!

Avoid Distractions: Turn off the television, set the phones or any electronics aside and focus. It also helps the two older boys if I keep "T" busy.

I also keep diffusers going both upstairs and downstairs. One of their favorite diffuser recipes is:

Orange Dreamsicle