How many of us are grateful for our children? I know most of us would have a knee-jerk reaction and automatically claim that we are grateful, and most of us probably are, but do we act like it? Do we show it? Sometimes the days of parenting can get so long, and so hectic, and so discombobulated that it can be tough going hanging on to an attitude of gratitude. Discombobulated. My grandmother used to use that word all of the time. But my children had to teach me what it means, how, when, and where to use it! Here are some things I am going to do today to express my gratitude to the world, the gods, the Universe, fate even, for the presence of all three of my children in my life. Today I will:

1. Actually stop and listen to my kids when they are talking to me, instead of mindlessly saying, "Uh-huh" and "Really?"

2. Without them requesting it, make my children's favorite dinner-breakfast! (bacon, eggs, frozen waffles, fruit and cold milk-yum.)

3. Appreciate the constant racket that goes on in my house because of my children and have the courage to contemplate what the real cost would be for the "peace and quiet" that I am always so desperately chasing.

4. Issue my directives without any implied threats. I'm not a "honey, will you please get ready for bed, okay?" kinda mommy. I'm a "Get ready for bed right now" kinda mommy. But sometimes, my directives sound more threatening than necessary to obtain the immediate response and compliance that I expect.

5. Sit down this evening and watch them play outside after the sun starts to set. Usually, I make a mad dash to optimize that part of the day to get things done without them all under foot and to get ready for the next day.

6. Write a specific gratitude entry into each of their journals that I've been keeping sporadically for years now.

7. Write a post about an attitude of gratitude for my children (check).

8. Extend each of my children one act of mercy and instead of yelling, I will let the offending act slide. But they each only get one! And tomorrow, it's back to my regular old monster mommy self. Well...maybe not.

9. Hang out in each of their rooms a little longer than usual once they are ready for bed...and talk. Really talk, and listen.

I guess like most harried families our bedtime rituals have become pretty routine and go off like clockwork every night. Showers, teeth brushed, clothes in laundry basket, hop in bed.
Mommy: "How was your day?"
Child: Mumbles something
Mommy: "Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Great. So, what kind of day are you gonna have tomorrow?"
Child: Mumbles something.
Mommy: "Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Sounds good. I love you. Good night"
Child: "I love you too. Good night."
Enter daddy and repeat. Move on to next room. Repeat. Turn out all lights in kids' rooms. Start a load of laundry. Pick up junk around the house.

It is what it is, but tonight...will be different.

10. Can't think of a numer ten right now. I'm sure I'll come up with something. I'll let you know what it was.