Tag Archives: chaos

Distracting Obsessions

Have you ever read a quote and been so struck by the truthfulness of it, you immediately felt guilty and yet uplifted at the same time? That is how I felt when I read the following quote from Neal A. Maxwell: “Once the telestial sins are left behind and henceforth avoided, the focus falls ever more on the sins of omission. These omissions signify a lack of qualifying fully for the celestial kingdom. Only greater consecration can correct these omissions, which have consequences just as real as do the sins of commission. Many of us thus have sufficient faith to … Continue reading →

When the Noise Gets to You

I know that my years of parenting have increased my tolerance for all sorts of things: mess, chaos, whining, and noise. It is amazing how quickly we acclimate. Even if we used to be the most calm and mellow person, craving and appreciating our quiet alone time–we do get used to the noise and rambunctiousness of family life. Well, at least most of us get used to it and for most of the time… I was at a coffee shop the other day and while it was a busy place, it was relatively calm–there was the constant buzz of adult … Continue reading →

Do You Warn People Before They Come To Your House?

A few years ago, I started adding a little “disclaimer” to any invitations I sent out: “Our home houses kids and cats, please let me know if you are allergic to either.” This disclaimer was in response to a few grumbling people and an invitation I received to a barbecue that said “No dogs or children.” I was aggravated and offended, but I realized that there were plenty of people out there who didn’t like kids or animals (I am SO not one of them) and that it was only fair that everyone should know the score before they crossed … Continue reading →

When Things Start Closing In

I know that for most of us it is a little too early for cabin fever to be setting in, but from talking with some other single parents, I think there are those times when it really DOES feel like the walls are closing in—the house is too small, there is too much disorder and chaos, and it seems as though one will never get things into a manageable state again. My words might not help when you are in the midst of one of those periods, but it is temporary—things will open up again. I live in a moderate-sized, … Continue reading →

Who Do I Parent? The Kids or the Kitten?

I wrote a month or so in the Home Business blog about the challenges of trying to work with a kitten climbing all over the keyboard. My middle daughter “rescued” the adorable creature downtown and brought him home when he was barely four weeks old. As I established myself in the kitchen and dining room this morning to welcome another Thanksgiving–I realized that while the kids are no longer under foot, the kitten definitely is! Now, you should know that I LOVE Thanksgiving. As an avid cook, I so enjoy everything from planning the menu to lingering over setting the … Continue reading →

Halloween Chaos

There is something about Halloween that lends itself to chaos. It seems no matter how prepared I have tried to be over the years, or how much planning and careful scheduling I have put in to making sure the holiday runs smoothly—it is always a mass of last-minute changes, chaos, and flexibility. I think I should like to blame all the candy for all the chaos, but I think it is really the very nature of the holiday that does it! Last minute costume changes, last minute costumes, replacing treats that have run out, party plan changes, school parties, work … Continue reading →

Single Parent Families Don’t Have to be Chaotic

There is a myth out there that families headed by single parents are overly-chaotic and full of drama and crisis. Well, I think all families have the potential to be full of drama and chaos, and while the single parent family may be born out of painful chaos–we don’t have to stay in that state. We can let go of all that crisis and chaos and, after moving through transitions, establish a calm, peaceful and stable family life… I think that as single parent families, our capacity for chaos can be expanded. Then, we just get so used to it … Continue reading →

How Much Drama Can You Handle?

While I have a very high tolerance for chaos and unpredictable upheaval, I have a very low tolerance for drama. It may seem like a paradox—especially for someone living in a houseful of teenagers—but in my mind; there is a big difference between life’s natural chaos and the creation of big drama… What is the difference? Well, for me, chaos seems more organic—like the natural result of family life and just being a person alive on this family. Drama feels like something that is created—either as a distraction, or to fill some psychological need or desire. In my mind, drama … Continue reading →