How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Distraction

How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Distraction

May 1, 2022 | Faith, Family & Home, Parenting

“A distracted parent is a frustrated parent.”

This is a phrase that I’ve used for many years, but admittedly, I frequently become preoccupied with a laundry list of tasks that threaten all my “intentional parenting” tools, forcing me into old habits that I preach against. 

As I reflect over this past week, I’ve been confronted with an ugly truth. More times than not, I was distracted from my littles, which led to many frustrations with their mistakes, an overload of questions, and countless messes. Finding myself a little teary-eyed, I discovered that my family didn’t always move to the beat of my drum. I’d also been distracted by other idols of mine, so when things began to occur outside my control, I couldn’t help but become annoyed. Thank God for conviction, conviction led to repentance, and repentance led to me apologizing to my people for putting unfair expectations on them – expectations that I can’t always meet myself. 

I’m sure I’m not alone in falling guilty of this and I want us all to place our failures before the throne, find ways to implement new tactics, and know that giving ourselves and others grace will assist in bearing fruit.

Here are a few tools on how to limit distractions and frustrations:

Set Boundaries on Your Screen Time 

Cell phones and social media can be so distracting at times, and we may become frustrated or annoyed by comparing ourselves to what we’re being exposed to through our devices. In order to limit my screen time, I place timers on my cell phone, turn off many notifications, and set ringtones for my husband and a few others that I’m okay responding to throughout the day. Then I can carve out specific time to tackle emails and text messages from others. These boundaries help me keep my thoughts organized and my focus sharp.

Don’t Let the Mess Control You

 I’ve told y’all before that I’m OCD (not using the term lightly), so cleaning is an idol for me. Although I view it as a good one to have, I’m often distracted by it. This distraction causes me to miss memorable times with my family, become overwhelmed when messes occur and turn into a drill sergeant to my entire village. I’m learning to remind myself that accidents happen, kids can sometimes be messy, and living in spaces can’t always mimic an RH showcase room. 

If you’re anything like me, I encourage you to create a weekly, monthly, and daily cleaning routine. In doing this, you will also find a few things that can be left undone. Whether it’s closing a door, having a junk drawer or closet, placing things in a basket, or hiring a housekeeping service, there are ways to manage your surroundings without having to tackle everything on your list.

Remember Your Purpose

I love to serve, so I’m extra when it comes to my meals and cookware. I love to serve my family food in cute dishes, create adorable themes… the list goes on. Although I can become distracted by creating these elaborate experiences for them, they’d rather have me focused, patient, and full of joy rather than serving heart-shaped waffles without a smile. Let’s not become too distracted creating beautiful moments we can’t enjoy because we’re frustrated with the very people we’re making them for.

These tips can help you reduce future frustrations, but sometimes life can just get in the way. When you’re overwhelmed, schedule non-negotiable time away, take a 5-minute potty break, or be vulnerable with family or friends and tell them you could use some help. Above all else, remember to submit our distractions and frustrations before the throne.

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My Calling to Homeschool

My Calling to Homeschool

Apr 28, 2022 | Family & Home, Homeschool

I know for many families the decision to homeschool is a difficult one. In the U.S, roughly 3.3% of school-aged children are homeschooled. According to the U.S Census Bureau, this number has only recently increased due to the global pandemic. It certainly requires commitment, both of your time and your energy. But for me, it was the path that God laid at my feet! While His guidance has often asked me to sacrifice, this is one area that I feel He truly provided a step that was easy to take.

My Background in Education

Some of you may not know this, but before meeting my husband I was in the process of pursuing a career in education. My coursework and experience in college was focused on Early Childhood Education, allowing me to work in the public school system as both a substitute teacher and a standardized test specialist. It was a future I was highly invested in and excited to grow into, but something even more wonderful happened… God placed my beautiful life partner before me and gave me a new calling.

Separation Anxiety

Admittedly, the transition from pursuing education and deciding to educate my own children wasn’t a clear one. In the early days of our marriage Demario and I had once joked about me homeschooling our children, but at the time it seemed like a very foreign concept. I only started truly considering the idea once my first child was about 10 months old. I found I was getting some severe separation anxiety. Call me over-protective, but we tried 3 schools in less than 3 months, and I just didn’t feel comfortable being apart from my baby girl. It was then I realized that perhaps God was calling me home!

Making the Transition

It took a little bit to create a plan of action, but I began setting up learning stations around the playroom and spent time daily on educationally stimulating tasks. It was a system that worked for us until my firstborn was about 3 years old. Around then we began integrating a few days a week into preschool to help her socialize, but I never felt truly satisfied having her educated outside our home. I decided to trust God and homeschool her full time and I haven’t looked back since!

 

Take God’s Cue

He does not put things in our path that we cannot take on (1 Corinthians 10:13). If you are considering homeschooling your child(ren) I will suggest you first pray over this calling. Ask God if this is what he has set before you and once you receive confirmation research an online curriculum within your home state to help you get started. My experience homeschooling has reminded me that His wisdom united a passion I had early on with a family life that was new to me. He provided the opportunity to put the tools I had at hand to use. God gave me new purpose, vision, and boldness to enact something I had never seen modeled before.

Over the years, with 5 children, I have certainly re-evaluated my homeschooling methods, even applied for schools at times, but He is always there to remind me that my course of action is the one He designed. He has granted me my dreams: I get to spend unlimited time with my kids, I get to nurture them as whole children, and I have flexibility in my schedule, discipline, and curriculum.  I am thankful everyday that I answered His call, trusted his wisdom, and made home the center of my children’s education!

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Childproof Your Kitchen

Childproof Your Kitchen

Apr 26, 2022 | Family & Home, Home Organization

This may come as a shock (note a little sarcasm here), but food is one of the deepest foundations of my home.

 I connect with my family and the people around me through my cooking. My love for creating food makes my kitchen the heart of my house. My love for creating food makes my kitchen the heart of my house. But with five kiddos running amok, it isn’t always the safest place for them to be. It’s important to me to make food as much a part of their lives, as it is in mine, which makes childproofing the kitchen an absolute must. With a little help, my kitchen has become an environment where they can be present, participate, and explore without danger.

Out of reach, out of danger. Here are some of my favorite tips for childproofing your kitchen:

Get on their level!

The best way to determine what dangers your kitchen presents is to view it from your child’s point of view. Get down to their height (even if that means sitting your booty right on the floor) and look around. What objects or drawers are in reach? Are there electrical outlets present? Does your island have sharp corners at head height? By seeing the kitchen through their investigative and curious eyes, you can determine what dangers are the most accessible for them and get a starting point for what to address first.

Out of reach, out of danger.

This may seem like an obvious statement. But the first true step to childproofing your kitchen is to put objects out of reach of your kids. Move refrigerator magnets high up to prevent choking hazards. Place heavy pots and pans or appliances with blades into upper cabinets. Slide anything displayed on your countertop away from the edges toward the wall. And please, please, please don’t make a step-ladder easily accessible to your kids!

Secure, secure, secure!

If it opens, spins, or slides, secure it! Little fingers find a way of getting into things they shouldn’t and getting squished by things that hurt. I started with the old-school rubber band method on cabinets, but learned quickly to put drawer locks on everything. These can be found anywhere from Target, to Amazon, to Home Depot. For the most part, they are inexpensive, easy to install and use, and can be removed without damage once your kids are old enough.

When all else fails, hire help!

If you’re a new mom, or even a third-time parent, sometimes consulting an expert can make you feel more confident. You aren’t expected to know everything so please don’t be scared to ask for help from an individual or a company with professional experience in childproofing.

Do you have any childproofing techniques that have worked for you?

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Easy Easter Roast Recipe!

Easy Easter Roast Recipe!

Apr 15, 2022 | Dinner, Food, Holiday Food

This roast is great for Easter, but it’s something you will enjoy cooking year-round! It’s a perfect family dish that will bring everyone together. While it takes a while to cook in the slow cooker, this allows you to cook other dishes for your celebration.

This roast recipe will work for beef or pork, take your pick! It’s also versatile; feel free to shred it up and make a sandwich out of it or have it as a main course with your choice of sides to compliment it.

Ingredients

  • 1 pack of ranch seasoning mix 
  • 1 pack of Lipton onion soup mix 
  • 1 pack of McCormick slow cooker roast blend
  • 1 onion
  •  1 green pepper 
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 1 stick of butter or ghee butter 
  • 1 tbs avocado oil
  • 1 tbs of onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper
  • 2 cups vegetable broth 
  • 4 potatoes diced
  • 2 carrots diced

Instructions

  1. Wash the roast in lemon juice and trim the excessive fat.
  2. Spray the crockpot with cooking spray.
  3. Dice all veggies (add everything except carrots and potatoes). 
  4. You will then add carrots and potatoes when there are only 2 hours left on the roast.
  5. Poke holes in the roast on both sides with a fork or meat tenderizer.
  6. Coat meat with oil.
  7. Combine all seasoning and sprinkle all over the meat on both sides.
  8. Add 2 cups of vegetable broth.
  9. Cook on slow for 8 hours.

 

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Parents: Stopping a Tantrum In Its Tracks

Parents: Stopping a Tantrum In Its Tracks

Apr 6, 2022 | Family & Home, Parenting

With a household of five little ones, you can imagine we spend a lot of time navigating toddler tantrums and sibling breakdowns.

The past few years have certainly been a process of trial and error when learning to deal with and help manage my kiddos’ emotions. While still a work in progress, I am excited to share with you some of the tools I have found to be successful.

Name the Emotion 

1. Get On Their Level!

 

Much like adults, kids want to feel that they are both seen and heard. I find that meeting them at eye level creates a sense of equality where they feel safe to begin sharing and communicating. So get low to the ground, or lift your kiddos up (count it as a mommy’s arm workout!) and start out every conversation with eye contact.

2. Name the Emotion

 

For small ones, emotions can sometimes be overwhelming. I like to ask questions to help them to narrow down their experience and put a name to it. Once we know if they are angry, sad, disappointed etc. we can start addressing the emotion and finding the best solution.

3. Breathe Deep

 

This is a staple! I know you’ve heard it before, but helping your child to slow down their breathing will regulate their bodies as well. We like to say “Inhale the flowers, blow out the candles.” This allows the kids to not only take a second to breathe, but reminds them of experiences that are both happy and calming.

4. Redirect Their Attention

 

As I mentioned before, feelings can sometimes be overwhelming. I have found that introducing things to redirect their attention can help alleviate some of the pressure and make it easier to communicate. In our household this may mean using fidget toys (like Rubik’s Cubes, stress balls, or spinners), altering the location of the conversation (nothing like a change of scenery!), or shifting the focus (they may not want their feelings to be the center of attention). These tactics help to give the kids a healthy outlet if they aren’t ready to talk or need some time to process and communicate what they are experiencing.

5. When in Doubt, Pray It Out!

 

Y’all should know by now that God is at the center of everything at the Davis household! Children are never too young to learn how to take time and pray about their emotions. We always like to teach that God can help educate you on how to overcome your experiences, all you have to do is ask for His wisdom. It’s important to me to encourage their personal relationships with God and seek his assistance in everything.

The most important thing to remember is to build a home where communication is key. Our household is more about words of affirmation than yelling, more about time in than time out. If you build successful tools for your kids early, they will take their communication skills with them throughout their lives.

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