Joy means the following:
(n.) The sign or exhibition of joy; gayety; mirth; merriment; festivity.
(n.) To rejoice; to be glad; to delight; to exult.
(v. t.) To enjoy.
(n.) The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; pleasurable feelings or emotions caused by success, good fortune, and the like, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exhilaration of spirits; delight.
(v. t.) To gladden; to make joyful; to exhilarate.
(n.) That which causes joy or happiness.
(v. t.) To give joy to; to congratulate.
So when I name this post Joyfully Mothering, I mean mothering your children and your day with the above. I know this is what I strive for our family dynamic. The idea of making things joyful; cleaning, chores, and responsibilites all with joy. Joy that you have toys to clean up because this is a symbol of happiness amongst your kids. Joy that you have the life you, ahem I wanted and dreamt of since I was young.
I follow a great blog of a spectacular mother and have had the great pleasure of meeting her and her family back in September.
"For one, when I clean and do the little tasks that I find necessary to keep our house organized throughout the day, I do so *Joyfully*. I never slam things around or get frustrated that toys are on the floor, or dishes are in the sink. I don't huff and puff and talk under my breath about being everyone's "slave". Who would want to help if I was obviously hating when I cleaned?
I truly feel *Gratitude* in my heart every time I clean or pick something up because I feel such love and happiness for having my family and for all that comes with having children."
This really spoke to me. As I am always looking to evolve and grow in myself and with the way I communicate with others. So of course I want to communicate with my own children with love.
Just crank up the music and dance and enjoy doing this daily chores. You will see how quickly your children wish to participate.
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