What I learned from a "Bounty" commercial {a Bigger Picture Moment}

Our vacation is officially over, back to life as normal! Eventually life's little challenges creep back into our existence and replace our care free vacation attitude with reminders of  the responsibilities we've taken on...I can no longer pretend that to do list doesn't exists and I can't continue to ignore that pile of laundry I unpacked from the suit cases. Nor can I act like our cabinets aren't empty, not that my boys would EVER let that happen, they are growing boys after all and require AT LEAST five small meals a day (it sounds like a lot, but it's not like I give them a five course meal each time, I did say small)! So, the week begins!
Just in the three days we've "officially" been home we've spent way to much money at the grocery store, installed two ceiling fans, ordered a new dishwasher (which I am SO excited about!), unpacked,  paid bills, been immersed in family drama, kept three doctors appointments, made a trip to the post office, checked install guttering off our home improvement list and I personally washed, dried, folded and put up seven loads of laundry! So, I'm sure your wondering where the "Bounty" commercial came in...don't worry I'm getting there!

So  there I was folding laundry and starting to let life's challenges bog me down and turn me into an uptight, no non-sense mom and wife when the commercial came on. Like any typical household product commercial there was a devoted mother doing something domestic, in this case she was baking in the kitchen with her child, apparently waiting for the arrival of her mother. When the mom wasn't paying attention the kid started drawing on the counter tops with his fingers and the batter she was mixing. When the child said "look mom!" she discovers what he as done and instead of stressing over dirty counter tops, upon the impending arrival of her mother, she joins in the mess making and later cleans the mess with a "bounty" towel.

While the purpose of the commercial was to sell me a product and imply their product makes that moment possible, it just hit me in another way. Being a somewhat smart consumer I knew a paper towel wasn't the root of that easy going moment between mother and child, but, would have to be the result of the mother's state of mind and attitude. If this commercial had been a snippet from my home, in the middle of the week, in between our to do list task, waiting for the impending arrival of company, trying to finish the meal planned for those guest, and in the middle of a clean kitchen I would of yelled at my one of my boys and let myself get all worked up and STRESSED! That's when it hit me, why do I let myself get stressed over simple things like this? It really is unrealistic to think that everything is always going to go right all the time and it really is not fun being serious and all work all the time. Not saying I'm not going to get a little upset with crayon on the walls or purple juice purposely spilled on the carpet. However, the toys don't always have to be in a particular box as long as they get put up and it's not that big of a deal if they drag a small bucket of toys out after I just picked up the whole house.  It is OK if they use a shirt from the unattended basket of folded laundry to put on their heads to be silly and no one is hurt when they take all the pillows off the couch to make a "bridge" or landing pad for their jumping stunts (unless of course an elbow meets an eye). Instead, maybe I should do a few jumps myself or grab my own shirt to adorn my head and dance around the room. Life has too many challenges on its own to add unnecessary self-imposed stress, so, even if a crayon happens to meet a wall maybe instead of yelling I should take the time to explain why I am upset. Instead of letting the stress turn me into a mean, yelling, all work no play mommy, I need to let them turn into moments my boys are going to remember me as an understanding, care free, not scary, approachable mom, who occasionally has to get down to business and lay down the law from time to time. After all who wants to come to a person who is always screaming, yelling and making big deals out of every little mistake? I don't, so why would expect my children to once the learn they don't have to. I'm not perfect and I make mistakes, so, I can't expect my kids to be perfect and to never make a mistake. They are kids and they are just trying to enjoy life and giggle a little. Granted, there is a time and place for seriousness, work and order, but, that time isn't all the time.  

So, "Bounty" set out to sell me a paper towel, but ended up reminding me to not sweat the small stuff! Who knew?

{This is us not sweating the small stuff}

{Last day of our vacation we went to a beach to try and get some family photos. This was my first time to use the shutter release remote to capture my family. I set my camera up on a tripod and left it low to the ground, gathered my crew and started clicking away. I was surprised to get several good shots, I put my favorites into this collage. I hope you enjoy!}

I saw the Bigger Picture this week, did you? Written in participation with Bigger Picture Moments,a place where we step back and take in life. There are moments where we’re so caught up in it all, the hectic mind boggling pace of the day. We encourage you to take this opportunity to take a moment and view the Bigger Picture. Whatever that means to you. A moment where you recognized the role your faith plays in your every day life. A moment where you take note of motherhood and the importance of what you are doing. A moment that made you stop and smell breathe in the bigness of it all. If you'd like to participate check out the Bigger Picture Blog  or head on over to Peanut butter in my hair for this weeks link up and to share your Bigger Picture Moment.