When my daughters told me at 7am that the next two trains were cancelled, I cursed under my breath. It happens frequently, but this morning daughter 2 had a maths exam that she was wobbly about and this was about to send her over the edge. Partner offered to drive them to school and so the situation was quickly remedied. It wasn’t until we were on our dog walk a couple of hours later, that I thought about how bloody annoying it is that they frequently cancel trains, especially as they are so expensive…grrrr…I could feel myself getting cross and I thought to myself, I could write and complain. Should I e mail the chief executive? Shall I ring? Then within a millisecond I thought, I haven’t got time for this, let it go.
I find that this happens to me fairly often. There are many things that happen that I could allow myself to get really worked up about, but instead, I let it go. I’ve realised that it’s simple: the busier you are, the more you will let go, because obviously you haven’t got time to deal with it. Sometimes I listen to other people get hett up about something and I can’t believe that they are bothering to worry. The more time I had to think about World Book Day, for example, the more stressful it was and the more important it felt to create that perfect costume. As I got busier, I left WBD, Harvest boxes and projects to the kids. Yes, they were pretty shit compared with the other kids’ parents’ creations, but the girls didn’t see that. They just felt huge pride in the fact that they had done it themselves.
Pretty shit compared to the Harry Potter and Hermione who won, but proud
There are, of course some things that I just can’t let go, but the phrase, ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’ comes to my mind a lot. Teenagers hate it when parents get obsessed with the detail. Daughter 2 tells me that I ask her too many questions. They want freedom and with my incessant questioning, I’m sweating the small stuff. Yes, there are boys at the party, yes, the parents will be there, no, there won’t be alcohol (said looking away), yes, her friend is going, no, she won’t smoke…MUM, CAN’T YOU JUST TRUST ME?!
She’s got a point. I know the kid whose party it is, I know the parents are going to be there and I know how she is getting home. LET THE REST GO!
So, my advice to us all:
Let it go…clear away the shit and make room for the next pile that’s going to be dumped on you!
So true! It’s easy to get hung up on the small things and lose perspective and get really wound up when really it’s not a huge deal. That said I do love complaining and a good moan!!! #bloggerclubuk
Oh yes – you still can’t beat a good moan and a rant with the right people! It’s definitely about getting perspective though and it often takes someone else to point it out to us! Thanks for commenting.
I need to do this. I am a bugger for detail and I know I get so worried about stupid things. My husband reminds me frequently to take a step back and thankfully that usually does the trick. I agree just let it go! 🙂 #bloggerclubuk
It’s great when you have a partner who is more relaxed – that really helps, because it can be so hard to let it go! Thanks for commenting.
Ah this is a great post! I nodded away to many of your points! But the letting it go with teenagers is a hard one isn’t it? I read recently that we have to pick our battles with teens – and guess this applies to the sweating of the small stuff – I’m as guilty but maybe we need to sweat the big stuff – hmmm easier said than done! A great read – again! #BloggerClubUK
Thank you! I’ve read about picking our battles with teens as well. The difficulty I find comes when you have a rule in place that they choose to battle against and it makes you rethink everything you had previously believed in. It is really hard. My friend sent me a link the other day: https://www.facebook.com/imjoshshipp/videos/10153345031134246/?pnref=story
I think it is very true. Thank you for your comments x
I tell my eldest teenager every time he goes out that it’s the small stuff that makes me happy. I need to know where he is, what he is or maybe drinking……etc etc and his life will be a lot easier if he just tells me and gets it over with. I am dreading it when it comes to my daughter as I think you just always worry more with girls. Anyway, absolutely love your motto. Spot on. #bloggerclubuk
Thanks so much for your comments. I shared this link with JustSayingMum and you might find it interesting too. It’s Josh Shipp speaking – have you come across him? https://www.facebook.com/imjoshshipp/videos/10153345031134246/?pnref=story
Oh so true, even on Mat leave I have a list of things to do as long as my arm – I’m wondering how j juggled work too! But don’t sweat the small stuff is something I live by (I didn’t before I was a parent everything use to wind me up or stress me out) I just don’t have the time of the mental capacity not to!! Thanks for joining us at #BloggerClubUK hope to see you again this week X
Thanks for having me and I’ll be back X