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:
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
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!
Thank you, I’m the same, I used to love reading on my commute when I worked in London x
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)
I’m going to be singing that all day now! Mary Poppins certainly knew what she was talking about x
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…
Thank you, it’s true but something we always seem to forget x
What a lovely idea! I love that you change the words regularly & must be a great help for you all x #BigPinkLink
Thank you, it’s really working for us x
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
Thank you. It can be hard at times but does help if you can pull it off
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 losers
That does sound like fun! X
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 Parcs
Anything that relieves the boredom or frustration has got to be a good thing x
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 mummy
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
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
Thank you so much, it is amazing the power of a giggle x
I love the idea of having different quotes up. Changing your weekly focus and inspo. Amazing. #familyfun
Thank you, it’s amazing what a difference it has made x
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 7
Thank you, enjoy the music x
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 7
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
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 Pink
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
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 🙂
Thank you. That toothbrush sounds great! X
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
Thank you, yes, certainly nothing fun about 5am! x
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
Thank you. I’m heading your way from #momsterslink very soon x
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, 2016
Thank you, it really does. Your sense of fun shines out of your blog x
I love this. We all need to learn to find the fun. You only live once. Thanks for another great post. #momsterslink
Thank you, glad you’re enjoying the series x
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 – Zakynthos
Your so right, it can be hard at times when they are pushing all your buttons but it definitely gets a better response x
Great idea. I do much of what you mentioned. It really does help!
Thank you, it really does x
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
You’re a regular Mary Poppins then! 😊
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 25
Yay, we are in sync. You know what they say about great minds 😉
I need to find more time to read! Whenever I get free time I never really make the most of it..
Me too, it’s the one thing that I really want to make an effort to find more time for x
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 olds
Thank you, you certainly know how to make things fun at Coombe Mill x
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
It really does, music is always my go to mood lifter x
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
Thank you. We could all learn a lot from children and the way they find the fun as much as possible x
I think you’ve just embraced your inner Mary Poppins #FamilyFun
Helena recently posted…Word of the Week: Rings
Thank you, someone mentioned Mary Poppins early in the week and I’ve had all the songs in my head all week x
You always have great perspective.
#KCACOLS
Aww, thank you. You just made my day x
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 Moments
Thank you, they certainly can teach us a thing or two can’t they? x
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
That’s so true, making things fun is what life is all about x
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 Mum
Thank you, hope you find some fun this week x
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…
Reading on the commute is about the only thing I miss about working in London!
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.
#familyfun
Suchitra @thephdmama recently posted…Lessons from British Mom Bloggers (BMB)
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
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 pops
Ha ha, mission impossible would be very apt in our house!
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
Thank you. I love it when a quote comes along at just the right time, almost like serendipity x
Bit Mary Poppins like – I like it! #kcacols
Rainbows are too beautiful recently posted…Two changes of direction, two write offs
Who doesn’t love a bit of Mary Poppins x
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?
Ha ha, I’ll do anything to get out of housework! At least dancing is exercise x
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
Ha ha, my husband and my son are both great at making up songs to the tune of things in the charts x