Welcome back to the third instalment of my new series; Words To Live By. I can’t believe we are at week three already, where did that time go? If you are not familiar with the series here is the run-down:

Each week we change the words/quote/saying that we are displaying on the noticeboard in our kitchen; these are the words we try to live by individually and as a family that week. Some weeks may focus on lifting our mood, others may be about motivation or attitude to life; something that speaks to us on some level and that we can directly apply to our lives. Changing the words each week stops them from becoming just another thing you walk past without really seeing, it keeps things fresh and stops them losing their power. This series is where I share those words with you in the hope they may help you and your family too.

Without further ado, this weeks words are:

words to live by: find the fun

Daily lives can be full of boredom, for adults and children alike. We all have to do things we’d rather not bother with, we all have moments when we wish we could be anywhere else, doing anything else. The more we focus on how boring/annoying/frustrating something is, the more bored/annoyed/frustrated we feel.

How many times have you tried to get a toddler to get dressed/tidy their toys etc only for them to suddenly find a million far more fun things to do, like runaway, get more toys out, walk around with a pair of pants on their head pretending they’ve gone blind? As frustrating as this is for us, we could learn a thing or two. They don’t want to get dressed/tidy up because it’s boring, they want to have fun and will go out of their way to find some.

I’m sure we have all heard how making tidying into a game can actually engage children, making it fun makes them much more likely to get on with it. Even back as far as babies in their highchair when they were refusing to eat, I bet you did the aeroplane noise or something similar to make it more fun and get them to open up. We  all know the principle but somewhere along the line we forget it.

Also, despite knowing it works for children, we rarely apply the principle to ourselves. Dreading the housework? Turn some music on as loud as your neighbours will stand before calling noise control and sing and dance while you get on with it. You may feel a bit daft at first but I bet it will make the cleaning go faster and you’ll get a bit of a workout in too so you can truly deserve that cup of tea and a biscuit (or ten) when you are done (even if you do have to hide in the bathroom to avoid the kids while you scoff them). Better yet, get the kids involved and sing along together, set a challenge as to who can complete their jobs first and a forfeit for the loser, or have a five minute dance party once you complete a job/room.

Boring commute to work? Make the most of the child free time and read a book or magazine, or just daydream, if you’re driving crank the music up or listen to an audio book. Whatever it takes to move your mindset away from the negative side of your current situation and find something fun to occupy your mind for a while.

Whatever it is that you have to do, or you need your kids to do, try to find a way to make it fun. Sometimes it is enough to repeat the phrase in your head to realise that the kids aren’t being loud just to annoy you, they are having fun and maybe a little of it will rub off on you.

Having a laugh and a joke with the kids while getting them to do something not only makes it more likely they’ll do it without complaining, it makes everyone feel a little lighter and happier and closer too.

I am aware that not everything can, or even should, be fun. But that doesn’t mean we can’t find fun somewhere during the day. By actively telling yourself to look for it, you’ll be amazed how much lighter it can make you feel, even if it’s just being a little more accepting of the kids’ crazy hour.

Do you have any tips for making boring things more fun? If so, please share in the comments so we can all benefit x

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77 thoughts on “Words To Live By #3: Find The Fun

  1. I love the suggestion of reading while on commute. I’m a stay at home mom now but before having my baby I commuted the subway to work in NYC. I read so many books during that time and it was a great meditation of sorts. I also love the part about laughing with your children. It really is the little things that make life special. Thank you for the wonderful post!

    Posted on 17 October, 2016 at 3:34 pm
    1. Thank you, I’m the same, I used to love reading on my commute when I worked in London x

      Posted on 17 October, 2016 at 6:09 pm
  2. Hehe I’ve been singing “Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down” from Mary Poppins all the way through that post! I think you’re right that looking for the fun in things is important and it really does make the time pass more quickly. My other way of doing it is to promise myself a treat afterwards (like biscuits in the bathroom so the kids don’t see!). #DreamTeam
    Lucy At Home recently posted…This Should Be A Birthday Photo (But It Isn’t)My Profile

    Posted on 18 October, 2016 at 6:53 am
    1. I’m going to be singing that all day now! Mary Poppins certainly knew what she was talking about x

      Posted on 18 October, 2016 at 7:43 am
  3. I love this post! Our lives would be so much more fulfilling if we found the fun in any task! #DreamTeam
    Heather Keet recently posted…DecisionMaker has made an appearance…My Profile

    Posted on 18 October, 2016 at 7:13 am
    1. Thank you, it’s true but something we always seem to forget x

      Posted on 18 October, 2016 at 7:42 am
  4. What a lovely idea! I love that you change the words regularly & must be a great help for you all x #BigPinkLink

    Posted on 18 October, 2016 at 8:23 am
    1. Thank you, it’s really working for us x

      Posted on 18 October, 2016 at 5:45 pm
  5. What a wonderful idea! Finding the fun is so helpful. We always try to have fun and giggles in challenging moments and it helps a lot. #dreamteam

    Posted on 18 October, 2016 at 11:43 am
    1. Thank you. It can be hard at times but does help if you can pull it off

      Posted on 18 October, 2016 at 5:47 pm
  6. I agree we need to take the time to find fun. I have made the most of child-free time this morning by getting my nails done! First time I have done that in ages! #dreamteam
    Emma Island Living 365 recently posted…Women will always be society’s biggest losersMy Profile

    Posted on 18 October, 2016 at 12:12 pm
    1. That does sound like fun! X

      Posted on 18 October, 2016 at 5:47 pm
  7. I find that when I’m getting bored or frustrated (in a queue or in a meeting maybe!) it’s good just to really observe the surroundings and try and find something interesting to focus on – doesn’t always make these times fun but does make them more bearable! #bigpinklink
    Mindful Mummy Mission recently posted…How to save money (and be mindful) whilst holidaying at Center ParcsMy Profile

    Posted on 18 October, 2016 at 8:36 pm
    1. Anything that relieves the boredom or frustration has got to be a good thing x

      Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 8:37 pm
  8. I love your words for this week. I am a firm believer in looking on the bright side and this totally aligns with that. I try and get my husband to do the same but he’s really prone to seeing the negative which upsets me. Your commute comment as an example is something I agree with – I even wrote a blog post a few months ago about ‘The Positives of Commuting’. It’s MY time every week.

    I’m going to ‘Find the Fun’ this week. I might even pinch your words for our notice board 🙂 #FamilyFun
    Angela Watling recently posted…I really love being a mummyMy Profile

    Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 1:12 pm
    1. Thank you, I try to be positive but unfortunately I’m prone to a bit of negativity each day and I’ve found having words like these on the noticeboard has really helped me recognise this and shift focus. The one thing I miss about my old London commute was the hour a day I used to get to read, now I’m lucky if I read an hour a month (although I am trying to change this too as books are my happy place). So glad the words ‘spoke’ to you this week, hope you have a fun one x

      Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 5:57 pm
  9. I love this series and this particular quote is spot on! It’s so easy to get vexed at the kids when they are faffing around, and you can just feel like you are constantly nagging them, but they are far more likely to engage with us if we make the task at hand a bit more fun. A little giggle goes a long way! #DreamTeam x

    Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 3:14 pm
    1. Thank you so much, it is amazing the power of a giggle x

      Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 8:35 pm
  10. I love the idea of having different quotes up. Changing your weekly focus and inspo. Amazing. #familyfun

    Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 7:20 pm
    1. Thank you, it’s amazing what a difference it has made x

      Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 8:21 pm
  11. Oh I love this quote this week! It’s so easy to forget about ourselves isn’t it? I haven’t had a loud dance music clean in years! I must try this again soon… Thanks for linking up to #FamilyFun
    Karen : TwoTinyHands recently posted…#FamilyFun Week 7My Profile

    Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 7:28 pm
    1. Thank you, enjoy the music x

      Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 8:25 pm
  12. I love hear because last weeks mesaage is just about wearing off when I read a new weeks and feel motivated again! I defineitly needed this today have been struggling to see the fun in a lot of my daily activities. Thank you for sharing with us at #familyfun
    Tammymum recently posted…#FamilyFun…Week 7My Profile

    Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 7:53 pm
    1. Thank you, it’s always nice to hear that people are enjoying the series and getting something out of it. Hope you manage to find the fun this week x

      Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 8:51 pm
  13. I think this is brilliant! I always do the making it fun thing. When I was younger, before the time of smart phones, if I was stuck waiting somewhere, I’d make up stories about the people I saw, what their lives were like etc! Thanks for joining us at the #bigpinklink
    Louise Pink Pear Bear recently posted…Halloween fancy dress with Tickled PinkMy Profile

    Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 10:02 pm
    1. I love people watching and making up stories, you’re right though since smart phones came along we hardly ever look up and out anymore, time for a change I think x

      Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 10:24 pm
  14. Love this. It’s very true! I normally do this with most things – loud music is an essential for cleaning. We bought our son a Thomas The Tank Engine toothbrush cup holder that had a mini Thomas on which went round and round as he would brush his teeth – that made teeth brushing time fun as he had to race Thomas!

    I’m not a person for quotes etc but this looks like a great series and I’ll keep having a look each week 🙂

    Posted on 20 October, 2016 at 1:28 pm
    1. Thank you. That toothbrush sounds great! X

      Posted on 20 October, 2016 at 2:05 pm
  15. I love the idea of having a family quote/words for the week. I definitely could do with a bit of a kick up the bum sometimes. (Although it’s hard to feel the fun with 5am starts!! 😉 )

    #ablogginggoodtime

    Posted on 20 October, 2016 at 2:10 pm
    1. Thank you, yes, certainly nothing fun about 5am! x

      Posted on 20 October, 2016 at 2:14 pm
  16. I love this post, and I need to find more fun! Well done! Sort of ties in with my post this week too. Interesting wave… #momsterslink #ablogginggoodtime #bigpinklink #mg

    Posted on 20 October, 2016 at 8:35 pm
    1. Thank you. I’m heading your way from #momsterslink very soon x

      Posted on 20 October, 2016 at 9:13 pm
  17. I try to find the fun in everything, makes life so much more pleasant! Thanks for joining up with #momsterslink!
    Heather Keet recently posted…Momsterslink ~ October 20, 2016My Profile

    Posted on 20 October, 2016 at 8:57 pm
    1. Thank you, it really does. Your sense of fun shines out of your blog x

      Posted on 20 October, 2016 at 9:14 pm
  18. I love this. We all need to learn to find the fun. You only live once. Thanks for another great post. #momsterslink

    Posted on 21 October, 2016 at 12:25 am
    1. Thank you, glad you’re enjoying the series x

      Posted on 21 October, 2016 at 7:05 am
  19. Hi Alanah, when my children were small, finding the fun was fun. I’ve always been a strong believer that more is learned through play than will ever be learned with harsh words.

    Now my children are no longer really children, I find that humouring their belief that I am a wally works wonders for getting them to do something. Although it is often in their own time.

    #ablogginggoodtime

    xx
    Debbie recently posted…Through My Lens #1 – ZakynthosMy Profile

    Posted on 21 October, 2016 at 7:49 am
    1. Your so right, it can be hard at times when they are pushing all your buttons but it definitely gets a better response x

      Posted on 21 October, 2016 at 8:43 am
  20. Great idea. I do much of what you mentioned. It really does help!

    Posted on 21 October, 2016 at 12:13 pm
    1. Thank you, it really does x

      Posted on 21 October, 2016 at 12:22 pm
  21. Love this, having worked with children for years and years it’s habit to create a song to accompany every boring thing such as tidying away or getting dressed etc. 🙂 #pocolo

    Posted on 21 October, 2016 at 3:15 pm
    1. You’re a regular Mary Poppins then! 😊

      Posted on 21 October, 2016 at 4:30 pm
  22. Another great post! It’s funny you mention ‘find the fun’ as I am always saying this to Mr Button. If you can find the fun in things, it can make such a difference to your day. I will point him in the direction of your post. Ps. I find the fun on my commute reading all the fab #DreamTeam posts. Thanks for linking up xxx
    Annette, 3 Little Buttons recently posted…#DreamTeam Linky 25My Profile

    Posted on 21 October, 2016 at 3:32 pm
    1. Yay, we are in sync. You know what they say about great minds 😉

      Posted on 21 October, 2016 at 4:31 pm
  23. I need to find more time to read! Whenever I get free time I never really make the most of it..

    Posted on 21 October, 2016 at 8:24 pm
    1. Me too, it’s the one thing that I really want to make an effort to find more time for x

      Posted on 21 October, 2016 at 8:54 pm
  24. I am all for introducing fun for willing kids and getting jobs done. #FabFridayPost
    Coombe Mill recently posted…First Jigsaw Puzzle ideal for 2 Year oldsMy Profile

    Posted on 21 October, 2016 at 10:52 pm
    1. Thank you, you certainly know how to make things fun at Coombe Mill x

      Posted on 22 October, 2016 at 6:53 am
  25. Oh I totally agree, for me music makes the world of difference. If I am stuck in the car, or doing housework I love to sing and listen to my fav tunes #mg

    Posted on 22 October, 2016 at 4:08 am
    1. It really does, music is always my go to mood lifter x

      Posted on 22 October, 2016 at 7:01 am
  26. I love this advice! I’ve found it so much easier to find the fun in everything since my son came along – he’s just a fun seeker! It’s one thing that I really do think has transformed my attitude to life for the better and I try to remember it whenever I can. Thanks so much for joining us again at #SharingtheBlogLove

    Posted on 22 October, 2016 at 7:31 pm
    1. Thank you. We could all learn a lot from children and the way they find the fun as much as possible x

      Posted on 22 October, 2016 at 7:37 pm
  27. I think you’ve just embraced your inner Mary Poppins #FamilyFun
    Helena recently posted…Word of the Week: RingsMy Profile

    Posted on 22 October, 2016 at 9:53 pm
    1. Thank you, someone mentioned Mary Poppins early in the week and I’ve had all the songs in my head all week x

      Posted on 22 October, 2016 at 10:11 pm
  28. You always have great perspective.

    #KCACOLS

    Posted on 23 October, 2016 at 9:28 pm
    1. Aww, thank you. You just made my day x

      Posted on 23 October, 2016 at 10:21 pm
  29. I Love this! Since having the girls I have definitely found the fun more often! I love how they find fun in the simple things in life and that is infectious. Thank you for for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove x
    Laura – dear bear and beany recently posted…Over The First School Hurdle…The Ordinary MomentsMy Profile

    Posted on 23 October, 2016 at 10:02 pm
    1. Thank you, they certainly can teach us a thing or two can’t they? x

      Posted on 23 October, 2016 at 10:22 pm
  30. There’s definitely no harm in making things fun – that’s what the whole concept of gamification is based on. Lots of companies are getting involved with that as it really does bring results. And it’s way better to go through life with a smile on your face. Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo

    Posted on 25 October, 2016 at 9:41 pm
    1. That’s so true, making things fun is what life is all about x

      Posted on 25 October, 2016 at 9:48 pm
  31. Great choice this week, definitely all for finding the fun in life 🙂 Thanks for linking up to #PicknMix

    Stevie x
    A Cornish Mum recently posted…Meet the Parents – A Cornish MumMy Profile

    Posted on 25 October, 2016 at 11:43 pm
    1. Thank you, hope you find some fun this week x

      Posted on 26 October, 2016 at 7:22 am
  32. I always used to read on my commute to make things more interesting and found i got through a lot of books. I listen to music doing housework so end up doing a mini workout too ha ha!!
    thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime
    Mummy in a TuTu (@mummyinatutu) recently posted…Tutoo Cute For Words…My Profile

    Posted on 26 October, 2016 at 2:23 pm
    1. Reading on the commute is about the only thing I miss about working in London!

      Posted on 26 October, 2016 at 3:11 pm
  33. I really, really love this idea. I am going to try to inculcate this into my own life. Only feel a little disappointed that my kids are too little to read but no reason the husband and I can’t work on this. Your words for this week may be some of my most challenging ones. I am really high strung and anxiety prone so trying to find the fun takes a LOT of effort when the chips are falling and it doesn’t take a lot. Like you said, even getting my toddler dressed or ready for bed can have me yelling at him when he is just tired and being a two-year-old. Life lessons and gentle reminders for everyone. Thanks for this.

    Posted on 27 October, 2016 at 2:49 pm
    1. #familyfun
      Suchitra @thephdmama recently posted…Lessons from British Mom Bloggers (BMB)My Profile

      Posted on 27 October, 2016 at 2:59 pm
    2. I am exactly the same as you, this was my hardest challenge too. My youngest can’t read the board yet but the fact the rest of us are trying to incorporate it into our daily lives has a knock on effect x

      Posted on 27 October, 2016 at 8:04 pm
  34. We try and make things fun as much as possible, mission impossible theme tune on for tidying up and I always crank up the music on the way to work and back. Great quote! Thanks for linking to #PickNMix
    Eilidh x
    Mummy and Monkeys recently posted…Easy Halloween marshmallow popsMy Profile

    Posted on 27 October, 2016 at 5:09 pm
    1. Ha ha, mission impossible would be very apt in our house!

      Posted on 27 October, 2016 at 8:05 pm
  35. I so need to read this quote right now the monotony of all the chores and working and things that needs to be done is exhausting! And I think you don’t stop to appreciate things… I have spent today trying to laugh more and just chill out a bit, as you say have fun. I think having words for your family to live by is a great idea! This is fantastic thank you! And thank you for linking up to #KCACOLS We hope you can link up next Sunday x

    Posted on 27 October, 2016 at 8:49 pm
    1. Thank you. I love it when a quote comes along at just the right time, almost like serendipity x

      Posted on 27 October, 2016 at 8:56 pm
  36. Bit Mary Poppins like – I like it! #kcacols
    Rainbows are too beautiful recently posted…Two changes of direction, two write offsMy Profile

    Posted on 28 October, 2016 at 10:39 am
    1. Who doesn’t love a bit of Mary Poppins x

      Posted on 28 October, 2016 at 12:13 pm
  37. There’s definitely lots of things to do to make things fun isn’t there. I can quite often be found dancing and singing round the house with my daughter mid clean up or instead of usually! #kcacols
    Tracey Bowden recently posted…Can You Go Completely Paperless?My Profile

    Posted on 28 October, 2016 at 10:11 pm
    1. Ha ha, I’ll do anything to get out of housework! At least dancing is exercise x

      Posted on 28 October, 2016 at 11:01 pm
  38. What a great idea… 3 words to live by. I love this week’s words, so easy for chores to be dull. We are always singing in my house, random words about what we are doing to the usual tunes. Pretty sure my neighbours will breathe a sigh of relief when I go back to work 😉 #kcacols

    Posted on 29 October, 2016 at 12:32 pm
    1. Ha ha, my husband and my son are both great at making up songs to the tune of things in the charts x

      Posted on 29 October, 2016 at 1:13 pm