Joy! Remember? I bet you thought I forgot, but I didn’t. This month I’m focusing on being more present in the moment with my children. For someone who love, LOVES her smart phone and who is maybe a *tad* ADHD, I have to say that this is a tough one for me, but that’s why I’m working on it!

So here’s what I’m doing–I’m closing my laptop for a good chunk of the day–especially in the morning when the kids are their brightest. I’m also making sure mornings are TV-free. This way the focus is completely on the kids and what they’re doing. It’s been great, actually! If they take even a momentary interest in something, I’m able to leap up and encourage them. I’m also cleaning a little, which is never a bad thing.

But guess what else I’m doing? I’m trying to take more pictures. With my phone. I know! I have to be very disciplined to get this done, but I think it’s a good thing too. I feel like if I take a second and just try to capture those little moments, that I’ll enjoy them a little more. Or maybe remember them better?

But then I have to put it down. Quick!

So I’m unplugging and plugging in at the same time. But it’s working.

In my last Little Joy post I mentioned that I am not very good at physical affection. I’m terrible at it actually, but I don’t need to get real specific, right? I have discovered some semi-touchy-feely things that I’m very good at, and I thought I’d share those. Consider this affection for the touchy-feely impaired:

At the grocery after they screamed like maniacs through a trip to the hairdresser. In fact, we left before she could cut August’s hair. Hello, terrible twos!

1. Bear Hugs–for some reason, these are better than the lame, barely-there hugs that are the norm. These can also include antics such as swinging, tickling, and other silliness that boys love (girls may love it too–I’m not sure).
2. Pretend Danger–all of my kids like to be tossed onto the bed or the couch. I haven’t tested this with the baby, but the other three are all about it. Charlie also likes it when I go to put him on the floor and then STOP suddenly. And then do that like eight more times. It is guaranteed giggles every time.
3. Mani/pedis. I know! This one is ridiculous, but here’s the thing–I am an Acts of Service kind of person. I do things for you and that’s how I show you that I love you. I have discovered, however, that there are things that are service that are also tactile. It’s funny because I have a very clean memory of helping my mother wash and style her hair when she got home from having a surgery to have cancer removed. That was my love in action. With my kids, I’m doing the same thing. I sat down with August and carefully trimmed his nails and cleaned out the dirt from under each fingernail. He say in my lap the whole time and really enjoyed it. With Charlie, his feet and ankles can get incredible tight from his cerebral palsy. I can take a little lotion and help loosen them up in the afternoons. Again, physical for them, but also an Act of Service, so something I’m very comfortable with.

I may not be an expert at this stuff, but I am getting better, I think.

No worries. I don’t push the cart with Louie standing up.