Do you have a rushed child? A child who is always rushing usually for no reason. I do! I feel she has been like this since the day she was born. At times I am so thankful for her ability to react quickly but often times I find myself repeatedly telling her “well if you would just slow down and pay more attention this could have been prevented.” 

I’ve told her this numerous times just this week, like after a glass bowl was broken and a cup of water was spilled all over her younger sister. The rushing occurs without any thought, for example, she reads very well but doesn’t always comprehend what she has read because she rushed through just reading the words and not understanding the context. Does this sound familiar to you? I’m always torn about how to ease into helping her slow down.

I try my best to not make her feel like this is a lifelong flaw but instead a habit we need to work on. The more appealing we make slowing down and taking our time the more it's craved. Children already have so many expectations from the world around them I always encourage easy and positive. Children don’t need to feel like they have to change especially coming from their parents. You are created just as you are, and that's a beautiful thing. 

Here are some positive ways I have been encouraging slowing down.

1. -Set a timer - but instead of racing the clock, we flip it to not being done until the timer goes off. I also weigh the time on the heavy side for this. She still has a sense of accomplishment when the timer goes off and she has an inward feeling of “I took my time and didn’t rush.” 

2. -Ask a pro & a con of rushing - when they can identify these on their own it becomes easier to recognize the rushing moments. 

3. -Express how much more we can grow and learn when we slow down. 

Just like all duties in motherhood it is easy at times and much harder at other times. The most important thing to remember is life can be enjoyed so much more when we slow down.