You're My Obsession

I was on a mommy forum that I frequent daily and one of the ladies asked what our "obsessions" were. Since kids and family dominate a lot of my time, I started thinking about what specific things in parenting I obsess over.

1. Growing up in church - I love my church. I love my church family. I grew up in church my entire life. I met some of my closest friends in high school in church. I fell away from a church group in college, but did have a lot of friends of like minded faith. It is important to me that the boys see us loving the Lord, enjoying church, and maintaining friendships with our church family. I ultimately know their salvation is their choice, but want to provide a foundation in an amazing supportive church family.

2. Teaching them respect and tolerance - This is one of my biggies that I will never stop correcting. I don't require "yes ma'am/no ma'am" but I do require questions instead of demands. And those questions better end with please and the next sentence should start with thank you. The tolerance and respect doesn't stop at people. I want them to respect their things (that means no throwing your toys, Evan!) and their space. I want them to be even more respectful of other people's feelings, things and spaces.
Teaching a 3 year old to be respectful of someone who just did something he didn't like is harder, especially when I can't catch it happening. I hope that he "uses words" when he is upset with someone, but I might be dreaming.

3. Screen time - We don't watch a lot of TV in our house. John and I aren't big TV watchers so it kind of came naturally not to have the TV on while the kids are playing. In my job, I have to juggle the early childhood theory about screen time and my role as an early childhood technology specialist. There are many articles that both sides use in their argument. I think a healthy balance between the two is great. That being said, I try very hard to limit Evan and Luke's screen time. Both boys watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while they eat breakfast every morning. Evan gets a 30 minute show while we cook in the evening. Evan usually watches a movie once a week. It is a special night when we can all gather around the TV and share dinner!

4. Eating dinner at the table...together - This was a big one in my family growing up. We ate every dinner together sitting around the kitchen table. Mom cooked every weeknight, and most weekends if we were home. It was something that even if I whined about it, I am soooo appreciative we did it. Thankfully we started this from the very beginning with our boys. We all eat dinner at the table together and talk about our day. Now what they eat...yeah, I am definitely NOT obsessive about that. :)

These are my top four for now. I am (as evident with my experience of parenting so far) my top obsessions will change multiple times in their life. Ultimately, I want a happy healthy family. Whatever I need to do to get that, I'll obsess over. :)

Luke laughing at a very silly mommy!

Evan's stunna shades. (don't worry, he's getting a haircut on Friday)