I am in love with my children. Are you? I don't mean to ask if you are in love with my children - are you in love with yours? It is so easy to slip into 'bear mode' and start growling at all the little faults a child has - messy rooms, lost socks, broken toys, sticky fingers...need I go on?

Each morning I have been trying to pause and make a conscious choice. I've started saying to myself, "I delight in my children. I am in love with them. I love to spend time with them. When I am with them I feel young again. I am inspired by their energy and I find the energy within to keep up." And then I go out to face them.

Sometimes during the day I have to stop and reaffirm these thoughts because I become distracted by jam all over the table top, unflushed toilets, dirty laundry on the floor, toothpaste on the mirrors...I'd better stop there.

Someone told me there will come a time when I will miss the chaos that children create. Such chaos is a type of artwork, a masterpiece from their souls. Eventually when the creative energy of a child's mess is gone we will mourn it.

Of course I am not suggesting that we encourage sloth and or uncleanliness. Teaching our children the art of being 'neat and orderly' is very important. I am trying to get to the heart of what often gets in the way of a mother's affection. When I begin to feel overwhelmed during the day and want to 'pull my hair out', I am learning to stop and affirm my true feelings for my children first and then proceed with the needed corrections.