Some days—well, honestly, most days—I have my list of “to-dos,” and I just want to get it all done.
Most days—it feels so much easier to do everything by myself… quickly, without interruptions.
The Tension I Feel
However, I’m a stay-at-home mom with a toddler.
I want to include her and spend time with her.
And at the same time, I also want to do what I feel like I “need” and “want” to get done.
I know the best thing I can do is include her in whatever I’m doing around the house…
But if I’m honest, that requires a lot of patience from me.
The Reality
And the truth is—most days, half the things on my list don’t get done anyway.
So I have a choice to make:
Do I power through, trying to keep her “busy” and out of the way…
Or do I invite her into what I’m doing and let her “help” me?
What I’m Trying to Do Differently
Lately, I’ve been trying to slow down and be intentional about including her in whatever I’m doing.
It’s not always easy, and I lose my patience more than I want to admit.
However, I’m starting to see how important and special these moments really are.
I actually started noticing what this looks like in our everyday life—the messy, slower, not-at-all-perfect version of it—and I wrote more about that here if you want to see what it really looks like day to day.
Why This Matters to Me
I’m realizing how important it is that she feels wanted and included in my life.
I want her to know that she belongs right here with me, with us, in the middle of the mess, the chores, and all the chaos.
I want her to feel like she’s part of my life… not in the way of it.
That she’s welcomed—not in the way of mama’s “more important things.”
Because she is one of the most important things.
What This Looks Like (Imperfectly)
So I’m trying—intentionally, but imperfectly—to let her “help” me with my daily tasks.
She gets to “help” me:
- wash dishes
- pick up toys
- mop the floor
- bake cookies
- go grocery shopping
It’s definitely slower and usually messier than if I just did it myself.
But seeing the joy on her face makes it all worth it.
She loves being mama’s “big helper” (most of the time). 😁
What She’s Learning
And, I’m starting to notice something…
She’s learning so much in these small moments.
She’s learning to clean up messes when she makes them.
She’s learning to pick up after herself before starting another project.
She’s learning by watching and imitating what I’m doing.
She’s learning new words and phrases and practicing them herself.
Her understanding of the world around her is growing in ways I didn’t even plan.
What I’m Learning
And, it’s not just her who is learning.
I am too.
I’m learning to value time spent with her.
I’m learning that my lists aren’t nearly as important as I think they are.
I’m learning how much I need the Lord in this parenting journey—that I truly can’t do this on my own.
God is teaching me patience.
He’s teaching me to slow down.
And He’s teaching me to trust Him.
God is working in me in so many areas. He is using motherhood and my toddler to conform me more into the image of His Son.
Still Learning
I’m realizing that time spent with the people I love matters so much more than getting everything checked off a list.
I’m even starting to genuinely enjoy being a mom.
Not because everything is easy—but because I’m learning to see the beauty in it.
I still don’t do this well.
I still get impatient.
I still do things by myself instead of including my daughter.
But, I’m trying to grow in this.
I am trying to be intentional about including her and truly being with her.
And as I’m doing this, I’m realizing, that it’s okay if things take longer.
It’s okay if it’s messier and harder.
Because maybe…
just maybe…
these small, ordinary moments are more important than I realize.
If you want to see what this looks like in real life—messy moments, interruptions, and all—I shared more of that here. 🤍
