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You are here: Home / inspiration / Faith / Exercising, getting out of the house, and how to stay calm with young children…

Exercising, getting out of the house, and how to stay calm with young children…

March 8, 2019 · 9 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, mamahood

Before I answer your questions I want to know: have you heard the birds singing outside your window yet? I have, which means spring is near! As a Michigan dweller, this is very exciting. The birds that flutter outside our windows are precious to me. Their songs are a comfort after a long stretch of winter. In this post I’m answering your questions on exercise, getting out of the house, and how to stay calm with young children at home. Take heart, growth is coming, both outside and inside our homes…

Q: Do you exercise regularly?

Not at a gym. But I’m good at breaking a sweat while power cleaning our home, almost always having a baby in my arms (or a child on my hip), and walking our dog Bauer. My heart rate shoots up while wrangling toddlers to the dinner table, chasing bare buns down the hallway towards the bath tub, and when my husband walks in the door after a long week of work. And if that’s not enough, it’s frequent we make the room dark and have dance parties for seventeen minutes of cardio, again with a baby on my hip. I’d say, based on my ability to fall asleep for a quick nap each afternoon, I get plenty of exercise.

Q: What are you doing to take care of yourself on a weekly/daily basis?

Really trying to get enough sleep at night (7+ hours; I work VERY hard to make this happen), healthy meals (I mostly avoid carbs & sugar), and intentional creative time. I do all of these things daily and weekly, some at greater lengths than others. But all three happen every day. I don’t like the idea of a schedule but I have found scribbling notes on paper left on the kitchen table usually becomes home to “the things that must get done today”. This helps so me much. Writing out a typical schedule is also a great way to see what I’m spending my time on that’s unnecessary. Have you ever done that? Sometimes in the moment a task seems necessary but once I zoom out it’s very clear it’s not necessary. Study yourself for a week. What are your habits? What are your wishes or goals? What things make you a healthy woman, across all fronts? What causes your stress or frustration? Study yourself, then use your results to take care of yourself.

Q: How do you get out of the house with so many littles who are on different nap schedules?

There are definitely seasons when I don’t get out of the house often. Homeschooling helps give us a healthy structure, and it definitely played a part in our decision to homeschool. I don’t like being pulled in too many directions. When I’m all over the place my mind feels scattered, like I’m not doing anything well. See also: I dis-like multitasking. My four children are very close in age, and they’re also young in age. Our oldest child is 6yo and from there we have a 4.5yo, almost 3yo, and a 9 month old. The concept, “do what works best for your family” is really what we’ve had to do. It doesn’t work well for us to be away from home (or out & about) all the time. It’s hard to sleep in beds other than our own. As for errands, I almost exclusively shop for groceries and household essentials at places that offer curbside pickup or delivery. This way I can pick up our order on the way home from something else, eliminating a variety of chaos.

Q: How do you stay calm with children when they’re obviously defying you?

I mean, I don’t always stay calm. But I’ve learned it’s OK to share with my children when I’m frustrated over their disobedience. I’m absolutely encouraged by the way Susanna Welsey threw her apron over her head to pray. I’ve found by own version of crying out to God and that’s to simply walk into a quiet room and say aloud, “Jesus help me. Jesus be with me. Jesus I need you. Thank you for walking with me always ” It is so comforting to call upon the Lord because I know he hears me, and the Bible reminds us of this (Psalm 34:17). So I usually step into a quiet room, which my older children have begun to notice. This allows us to have a proper discussion about their behavior once the scene quiets down. With my younger children, I remember it’s my job to teach them to behave, and this in itself gives me extra patience. A younger child can receive a time out in a crib or inside a room with a baby gate for a couple minutes (minutes = the age of the child). I try to stay with that child and teach them WHY they are in trouble and WHAT I expect of them without walking away completely. The point isn’t to distance myself from them, it’s to teach them right from wrong. Although, sometimes a little distance is necessary. Lastly, think about what is the root of their defying behavior. Are they hungry or in need of quality time or fresh air? Remember as their mom, you bring wisdom and unending love to the relationship. Be a loving leader for your children as you kneel down to their level and offer your gentle comfort.

I WANT TO ADD: I truly believe a dose of fresh air will help everyone to feel better. Get outside and hear the birds sing that we see from our windows, provide your children with a runway to stretch their growing leg. Let the shock of crisp air to our faces provide refreshment to all. Committing to exercise (in whatever form), taking care of yourself on a daily/weekly basis, getting out of the house with children, and staying calm during defying moments is much easier to handle with fresh air at your side.

*

Over the years a small group of women have poured into me with their wisdom. I write to share what I’ve learned from my experiences, but I also write for myself so I don’t sit in discouragement or overwhelm. xx

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9 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, mamahood

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Comments

  1. Melissa says

    March 8, 2019 at 8:09 pm

    This was a big encouragement to me Maggie – I really appreciated hearing how you deal with your children. Thank you

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      March 8, 2019 at 9:15 pm

      Happy to read that! xx

      Reply
  2. Barbara Storey says

    March 9, 2019 at 11:29 am

    I am always excited when I find your post Maggie. I too raised 4 little ones who are now 56,61,62, and 65. You bring back so many happy memories for me and I get to see pictures and picture in my mind, your beautiful babies today!
    Love,
    Grambarb

    Reply
  3. Mom Whitley says

    March 9, 2019 at 7:50 pm

    Maggie Caroline, I am thankful you were hand picked to love Zack and raise this precious little family. Keep up the great work. Mom W.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      March 19, 2019 at 10:04 am

      Thank you mom :) I’m thankful too

      Reply
  4. Katie says

    March 19, 2019 at 4:57 am

    The birds are singing here in New Hampshire too! And the snow is melting back and my crocuses are starting to peek out of the earth – the beautiful sights and sounds are helping revive me and my own three (5, almost 4, and 11 months). I feel kinda like you do – I SO dislike feeling pulled in so many directions and am looking forward to the day when I can be a stay at home mama with my little crew. And maybe a little more time to write?

    Thanks for your posts!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      March 19, 2019 at 10:03 am

      Hi Katie! What do you enjoy writing about?

      Reply
      • Katie says

        March 19, 2019 at 10:50 am

        My blog is mostly about books and the desire to write, ha! You know how hard it is to find time to actually do that with so many littles running around. But right now I’m really searching for a way to be okay with living a life that’s not my own – sometimes I get so overwhelmed by everything that I CAN’T do right now that I forget to soak in everything that’s happening around me. So I’ve been spending a lot of time writing blog posts about that, but then hardly ever publishing them because they feel so incomplete and not encouraging. And just like something is missing. Do you know what I mean??!

        Reply
        • Maggie Whitley says

          March 19, 2019 at 3:02 pm

          Oh my gosh EXACTLY, yes to a T :)

          Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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recent posts:

  • On writing regular letters. January 19, 2021
  • The books I hope to read this year. January 12, 2021
  • Merry Christmas! Plus, adding a little warmth to my home. December 21, 2020
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  • 10 “field trips” ideas for your homeschoolers (Detroit & beyond) September 2, 2020
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JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are turning. The tea is calm. 🖤☕️🧺📖
Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
We’re driving home in the dark of the winter nig We’re driving home in the dark of the winter night after a beautiful, hard & intentional couple of days working on a project ✨I’m committed to work on this this year; 2021 is already great. 🤩🤐😘
Ohhhhh, this year. Ohhhh, specifically these last Ohhhhh, this year. Ohhhh, specifically these last 3 months. I’ve had more anxiety than ever, and it’s seriously putting me on my knees in prayer —almost daily. My mind and chest aren’t unfamiliar of the attacks, but the grip it’s had on me since September has been so strong. The attacks are painful. But... Worship music has been one of my main healers. 🎶I know God is close to the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18), and singing this truth really soothes me. Social media has been a big trigger for anxiety for me. I don’t want to “miss out on my life”, which is why I’ve hugely stepped back in posting and scrolling. 

One song in particular comes to mind:

“We step into Freedom. 
We step into all you have for us.” -Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson

There IS freedom from the anxiety attacks. For me: music, scripture, eating healthy, vitamins, rest, crying, prayer, honesty — these things help tremendously. Also getting up and MOVING when my anxiety sits on me like a boulder, that helps too. 🖤

Another soothing truth is from the end of Psalm 34:19 — “many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the lord delivers him of them all.”

Seriously. Thank you lord. Thank you for music and for rest and for the words in your book. I need them. I need You. I need Your freedom. I trust you’ll deliver me.
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I brought our basket of mittens and gloves and hats. The older two brought RC cars. Bauer the dog came along; we had a wonderful time on our walk.

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Bedtime tonight was wonderful. We read two chapters from our read aloud and Max lost another baby tooth.

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🕯🌙 Hello, sweet slumber. You’re carrying my babies away to a peaceful land. Goodnight, my children. Goodnight.

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The sound of Julia Robert’s calming voice is playing in the background of our playroom. Yesterday we finished another read aloud, Charlotte’s Web, so today my children are watching the movie. Knowing in-detail the lessons they are learning, along with reading books together, definitely adds to the joy of motherhood; the joy of teaching my children and being with them for so many hours each day. We experience so much together. Even when things feel chaotic at home, when I can’t call something by the correct name they still long to be near me and work alongside me. Tired has been a dear companion to me for the last seven years, but my children are gentle with their responses.

💞💬More on my blog! #maggiewhitleydotcom
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This guy is my steady; my Zack. This is a latergra This guy is my steady; my Zack. This is a latergram from October, from one of our many fall adventures with the kids. We had so many fun day trips, I don’t even remember where this was taken 👏🏻⭐️. I’m gonna guess Cranbrook Gardens.
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Well kiddos, we had a great summer together! 🥳👏🏻🛴⛱🍦🤸🏼‍♀️🎨🎹🏊🏻‍♂️🧺🎠📚📺🍿🌿🌷☀️🚲

Thanks for coming along with me to the pool, nature trails, the park, hosting friends in our backyard, reading adventures, popcorn & movie night, art, planting flowers, planting a garden, bike rides, neighborhood walks, lake swimming, and supplying the ice cream truck w/ roughly $84 this summer. 

I loved our time together! 🥰🧒🏼👩🏻👧🏼🧒🏻

And the great news is this: we have autumn to enjoy together, too! 👏🏻🌾🍃🍂 so thankful.
Even if you don’t have students learning at home Even if you don’t have students learning at home, these ten “field trip” ideas will give your day a boost. 

When your mind feels foggy, step outside. When your home feels too small or too big, step outside. When the bickering is loud or your internal criticism is high, step outside. 

Give yourself (and your family) the joy of an adventure away from the home. 

🌾Visit my blog for the full post, link in profile or #maggiewhitleydotcom
It’s come to my realization there’s plenty of It’s come to my realization there’s plenty of time these days to craft a letter when I wash dishes, take my kids on a walk, or take care of our garden. All that silence, it makes my internal monologue even louder 🤣. 

Many times we are out & about in the neighborhood and I think, “oh the flowers surrounding your porch are lovely!” Or, “wow” (to the elderly man) “you have such a great smile, thanks for sharing it with us!” Wouldn’t it be great to jot that down in a card and send it through the mail as well?

We are always in need of community & kind words! 🌷💬

I remember many years ago, when nearly pregnant with another baby and our personal finances were THE PITS, my best friend came over with $500 cash. Just to bless us. She also included a personal note. Of course, I’ve always known how special personal notes are, but this card really meant so much.

And so I’ve decided as the year-end nears: wouldn’t it be nice to send a letter a week for the final 20 weeks we have left in 2020. Me thinks so 🙂. 

Community & kind words: I’m coming for you!

PS. wanna join me in sending 20 cards by Dec. 31?
🖤working on our school room, mid-process update 🖤working on our school room, mid-process update! this wall is inspired by @mygrandparentschair 👏🏻 

I saw her feature in a recent issue of “Better Homes & Gardens” and I was all 🤩🤩over her foyer. I’m using 1/2” black masking tape (mistake-making friendly) instead of paint, also renter friendly. 

Working on this project has been so good for my mental health. Doing > worrying.
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devotionals written by Maggie:

the (in)courage Devotional Bible:
Proverbs 14:1 and Lamentations 5
31 Days of Prayer for the Dreamer and Doer:
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