Some great thoughts!

So, I just got done reading this book:



And had to share some of my favorite passages here by Veronique Vienne:

ON HOLDING YOUR CHILD

Perhaps one reason birds build their nests in high places is to familiarize their brood with the sight of the earth from the sky. Likewise, we give our newborns an incentive to grow tall and stand upright each time we scoop them up in our arms.

Indeed, it will be the best of times when your child tightens his grip around your neck and says he never wants to let you go. Don't be in a hurry to pry his little fingers apart. To hug and to hold-this sweet burden of parenting-lasts only a short decade.

ON LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

First smiles, first words, first teeth. And as soon as we reach these markers, we are already looking forward to the next stage-first haircut, first steps, first sticky little kiss placed on Mommy's cheek... Maybe we shoud refrain from celebrating our kids every new accomplishment and let the little devils know that we like them just the way they are. If only for a second, we should stop looking forward to the next thing, the next chore, the next phone call, the next weekend...In this nonexpectant state, we could begin to enjoy the child in front of us, from her plump fingers trying to grab an apple to the determined expression of her tiny pinched lips. And before the ticking of the clock could reclaim us, we would be able to share the present moment with her-every drawn-out minute of the day as precious as every inch of her radiant being.

ON BEING THERE

You are your child's best educational toy, the only one that's not age specific. You come fully equipped, with no assembly required, no complicated operating instructions, no manufacturer disclaimer, and no chance of recall. Judged by a panel of experts as having the highest play value, you are guaranteed to stimulate and delight your offspring for years to come.

All you have to do is be there-and automatically your baby, your toddler, your preschooler, and your spunky preteen will feel secure enough to boldly explore the world...For children and parents, doing something together is what matters.

And finally my favorite one, my AHA moment, reading this book! I'm always trying to negotiate why I should have to clean the toilets, and what I should get in return for having to do such chores!

ON HOUSEWORK

Instead of thinking of your endless bustling duties as time-consuming drudgery that takes away from the baby, think of them as a way of making your reassuring presence felt throughout the house.

You bring peace on earth as you pad about, forever putting things away, clearing out the sink, picking up the toys, wiping the counter, and mopping up the mess. All you need to do to enjoy these repetitive chores is to stop thinking of housework as a task oriented venture.

The secret of surviving housework is simply to do it. Pull the plug on the part of your brain that always wants to negotiate everything. You need to change a diaper, rinse a bottle, clean a spill, fluff a pillow? Consider it done. It's a no-brainer. End of conversation. End of story.

Not postponing chores-and not spending any mental energy equivocating, temporizing, or stalling-is actually a lot more restful than worrying about what needs to be done. You can breeze along, nonchalantly dispatching external clutter and internal chatter as you go.

Before long, you reach a zone of inner quietude where chasing dust bunnies can actually be as effortless as watching TV and eating bonbons.

Make your bed, see how easy it is to feel on top of the world. Trek to the laundry room. The humming of the washing machine in its spin cycle is as relaxing as the whooshing of a Tibetan prayer wheel. Do the dishes. The sound of running water is the next best thing to peals of laughter.

Housecleaning while a baby is resting is a mindful ritual in thanksgiving. You are not only sending germs, mites, and microbes scurrying away, but you are also turning an ordinary home into a consecrated family sanctum.