As a flower whose petals stretch out farther than seems possible, so are we stretched as parents.  I find that relaxing into the stretching helps me keep my sanity with a smile.

Last Saturday, I experienced a stretching moment called trip-to-the-store.  I spent the day getting ready for Busch Gardens.  We had enough drinks, snacks, change of clothes, and excitement to get us through three hours of driving each way.  Around the four o’clock hour, I entertained the suggestion of extra art activities we could work on in the car.  I explained to the kids that we were going into the store for one thing and one thing only–a coloring book for each child.  Capiche? Everyone understood.  Everyone agreed.

So into the store we skipped, mommy focusing on the art display and shepherding the kids to the appropriate area.  As I considered a viable artistic option, I let the kids roam free for their hunt.  One of my children kept bringing me his “kill.”  A green shovel. “This wouldn’t work in the car, sweetheart.  Remember, we are looking for a coloring pad.” He walked away holding the shovel only to bring me the same shovel and some goggles.  “Sweetheart, we are not swimming in the car.” I looked at the baby.  He pulled on his diaper and I knew we had to exit quickly.  I asked the clerk for help and she brought me exactly what we needed. The middle son walked away and then brought me an enormous plastic boat, goggles, and the familiar shovel.  I looked at the plastic boat that he brought in all seriousness. I looked at the child.  I felt I was at the outer edge of my patience.  I felt stretched thin.

Suddenly, I smiled.  After empathizing with how awesome that boat is, I walked to the register and bought the coloring books.  And as I comforted my whining kid, gently walking him out of the store, I sighed.  Mission accomplished.  Soon, the little guy said, “You bought a great art project.”  That’s right, buddy.  I did.

Today in my yoga class, we entered a particularly challenging pose and the instructor said, “Relax into it.  It seems like you’ve hit your limit right away, but if you relax, you may be surprised by how far you can go.”  I thought of the situations we face as parents.  Often I feel stretched thin, but when I relax, I can surprise myself by how well I can handle it.

Press on, Mom!