Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, they say.
But this beholder right here had not been seeing much beauty. Lately I felt as though my little princess was turning into a little monster, being a menace to innocent bystanders (mainly me) as she carried on with her daily business of exploring and challenging boundaries. People talk about the Terrible Twos and the Terrorist Threes, but this stage I like to call the Ominous Ones. It’s like a big bad sign of things to come. And, then the boys keep nagging at each other about the most insignificant things, like who stole who’s chair at the table and how one of them unjustly took a toy his brother was just playing with (two days ago!). Can’t we all just get along? Please?
Don’t get me wrong, of course I love them. I adore them. They are blessings, arrows in my quiver. It’s just that it would be nice if we could go a day or two without refereeing disputes about who gets to play with which Lego piece, or chasing and redirecting a 20-month old training for Extreme Toddler Sports. By 10:30 a.m., I’m exhausted, wondering how much longer till nap time.
I came to the conclusion that I needed to have a “mindset” change and hit the “reset” button before I lost my mind. But, how could I learn to appreciate – and even enjoy – our days through their point of view? Then I wondered, what would happen if I strapped the GoPro camera on them for a couple of days? I’m so glad I did it. Let’s just say it was nothing short of amazing. I feel like I gained so much insight about my family and home after watching the hours of video we recorded. Check out some highlights here:
Using the GoPro was the next best thing to being a “fly on the wall” around my kids. This is what I learned:
1. My room is a disaster! I know that’s not what I should be gleaning from this little experiment, but goodness! On the plus side, I did end up cleaning it up, and now it’s more like an organized mess. If you watch carefully, you’ll see me *trying* to organize and de-clutter.
2. I need to smile a whole lot more. I didn’t realize how serious I look all the time. And it doesn’t help that I’m constantly taking things away from the baby, telling her not to do something or correcting the boys about their behavior. No wonder Daddy’s the favorite! As a result, I decided to smile like a beauty pageant contestant at home. This has been met with some confusion from my boys, but I am determined to be more pleasant.
3. My kids are cool. Seeing how they play together or on their own showed me that playing truly is learning at their age. Plus, I was reminded that while they do have their arguments, they do have fun together.
4. My house is busy. Most of the footage was taken while I was doing something else. Seeing all that goes on in my house while I’m busy myself was a reminder that there is a lot going on at all times. There is never a dull moment and chaos is the new normal. To expect anything else is just silly.
5. I finally know why my house is always a mess. There are tiny creatures undoing all my work! It was crazy to see these children of mine just pick up a piece of paper, a toy (or a coconut), take five steps, drop it right there on the floor and keep going on their merry way.
6. A Jack Johnson soundtrack and a little video editing can work wonders for my perspective!
Week 2 of the #ETHANproject is now done, but the week’s challenge to Enjoy the View definitely was eye opening for me. If you’re not already following the #ETHANproject, you still have another eight weeks of challenges to help you Enjoy The Here And Now. Join us by visiting the Grounded and Surrounded blog.
And make sure you get started on the Week 3 Challenge: Enjoy the Flavor. Yum!
30 Comments
Nermari,
I am so glad you go this up. Even if it was a bit late. I really enjoyed the “view” of a child, truly special. Gosh….they do get into everything. It makes so much more sense when you are watching from their level!
June 19, 2015 at 7:51 amThank you Sarah! I knew it would be a fun experiment but was still very much surprised to see things from her “view.” It really brings things into perspective.
June 19, 2015 at 9:43 am[…] “How could I learn to appreciate – and even enjoy – our days through their point of view? Then I wondered, what would happen if I strapped the GoPro camera on them for a couple of days? I’m so glad I did it. Let’s just say it was nothing short of amazing.” Nermari from Just Another Day with the Kids […]
June 19, 2015 at 7:59 amI wish I had seen this earlier in the week! That video was adorable. I especially loved your daughter’s perspective. Great job!
June 19, 2015 at 8:45 amThank you Mackenzie! I’d been trying to get this video done for the past week, but it kept crashing. Finally, my computer programmer husband said, “Why don’t you use a different editing software?” LOL. I almost gave up but glad I didn’t. I think this video will be future therapy for those challenging days. 🙂
June 19, 2015 at 9:41 amI’m so glad you posted these!! Love the song 🙂 I had to share it in two of my groups on Facebook. LOL I need one for the Cookie.
June 19, 2015 at 9:30 amThanks Jess! And share all you want! 🙂 Since last weekend at the hotel I was trying to get it done but the software was NOT cooperating. Finally Ricky gave me the great idea to try a different editing software. Lol. Glad you enjoyed it!
June 19, 2015 at 9:45 amI LOVE that you did this! I always talk about how great it is to experience the world through our children’s eyes (the main reason why I love traveling with our kids and why we chose to homeschool). But this puts a whole knew meaning to the idea!
June 19, 2015 at 12:25 pmI knew it would be fun doing this little experiment, but then actually seeing the video footage was so eye opening. And there was so much I had to cut out bc really, only Ricky and I would enjoy 20 mins of the baby playing with books. Lol
June 19, 2015 at 1:17 pmI was amazed at the wonderful learning experiences the baby was having just through play. I literally said out loud, “Yay!” right along with her when she lined up the squares, that happened to be chairs! I’ve always let the kids enjoy their play time with the knowledge that everything is learning, but to see it first hand was extremely eye opening. It was a joy to see the kids, what an awesome experiment. Have to get me one of them there cameras! :D!
June 20, 2015 at 7:33 pmYou’re so right! You know that what they’re doing is good, but then to see it from their vantage point and it’s amazing. I didn’t even know what she was doing with the chairs bc I was in another room, I just heard the noise. It wasn’t until I was watching the footage later that night, when I saw it and I was shocked. Where did she learn that? And then she said “yay!” I still can’t get over it
June 20, 2015 at 7:59 pmI feel like you are talking about my house!! Your observations are ones that I’ve slowly made over the last few years. I def need to smile more. But it’s so hard! You are in the trenches. Exhausted. Uncaffeinated. Probably haven’t had a single minute to yourself all day. Breaking up fights constantly. Being a short order cook. It’s hard! It’s really hard. Not that it isn’t great, too, because it is. It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that these are little individuals who are growing and changing each day and if you slow down and observe you can see how amazing it all is. But still, you have to do laundry and break up fights amongst that. (Gah, do you like how rambly this post is? I swear my blog is much better! hahahaha)
June 22, 2015 at 9:33 amLOL, I”m so glad I’m not the only one! But it’s true – you can forget about how wonderful it is when you are being pulled in 20 different directions. I think this little video is going to be like therapy for me on the tough days- I can watch it and remember all the good in this life! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Casey!
June 22, 2015 at 9:47 amI found this so incredibly encouraging! I have been SO BUSY lately, I can’t even begin to tell you. Blogging everyday, working, kids, homeschooling, house showings. I feel like I’m losing my everlasting mind! I could have just about cried, such a refreshing reminder to STOP, slow down, and BEND down to my little ones level and YES YES YES, smile a whole heck of a lot more!
Thanks SO much for linking up at Favorite things Friday, it literally made my day today to see this! Hope to see you again this week!
June 24, 2015 at 11:06 pmI’m so glad you were encouraged by it! Honestly, I feel like I need to watch this constantly to keep reminding myself not to lose sight of what life at home looks like to my little people. The smiling thing is big b/c usually I’m doing something (and not smiling) or thinking about what I need to be doing (also not a smiling activity). And, then they interrupt me with questions or water spills or fighting, and that definitely doesn’t make me smile. BUT I don’t want their memory of me being this angry nagging mom… I want to be happy, encouraging mom. So, here’s to more smiles! 🙂
June 25, 2015 at 3:15 amThis was a good perspective adjustment for you and I! Thanks for posting.
June 25, 2015 at 10:06 amThanks for stopping by!
June 25, 2015 at 10:12 amI feel like I needed to see this TODAY. I was just telling my mother yesterday that now that I have 3, I’m not sure I’m cut out for motherhood. I struggle to find the positives and it affects my family. I disciplined my son for making a mess in the bathroom because all I could see was that he instantly undid all of the cleaning I did at 2 AM. All he wanted to do was show me he went “wellow peepee” in the potty and then poured it in the big toilet and flushed it like a big boy. I spend too much time not smiling and wishing my kids were older. I love the idea of project ETHAN and now have a goal to enjoy them now as I know time is flying by! Thank you for sharing and take solace in the fact that your house is cleaner than mine (and I only have 1 boy!). 🙂
June 25, 2015 at 12:31 pmI totally understand Brittany, I think I would’ve also reacted the same way, and honestly, I’m dreading potty training the little one as it is! But don’t let Satan steal your joy – embrace the messiness of motherhood. I know, easier said than done, but we just have to remember it’s worth the effort! You can do this 🙂
June 25, 2015 at 1:19 pmThis was so funny. I imagine it would be pretty similar in our house, except with a lot more jumping on/off things….hahaha
June 25, 2015 at 12:43 pmGoodness, I can’t handle the jumping on and off things. That day she actually climbed onto the pool table and fell off, prompting a visit to urgent care (she was Ok!). I wish you luck your little ones 😉 haha
June 25, 2015 at 1:26 pmThis is an awesome idea, but can I admit I’m a little afraid to watch the video… and I’d be even more afraid to tape & SHARE myself. Definitely something to be more conscious of & THANK YOU for being so brave & sharing at the Mom Blog Party
June 25, 2015 at 8:31 pmThank you Saira! I know what you mean. Watching the video on day 1 of recording was an eye opener, and it helped me to be a whole lot more conscious of what I did, said and my facial expressions! Thank you for stopping by!
June 26, 2015 at 10:01 amOK! I finally got up the courage to watch your video. <3 It's beautiful! And reminds me so much of my own house! 🙂 LOVE it & thank you for sharing. What a great experiment.
July 2, 2015 at 8:18 amThank you Saira! I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
July 2, 2015 at 8:24 amOMG! I love sneaking peaks at my boys when they don’t know I’m watching. I wonder what kinds of stuff a secret camera would pick up..
June 26, 2015 at 3:59 pmYou’d be surprised how quickly they forget that the camera is recording them! I got footage of my 4 yr old purposefully annoying his older brother, and it was suddenly so clear why they’ve been fighting so much. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
June 26, 2015 at 5:18 pm[…] from Just Another Day With Kids was our most popular mom last week! I absolutely love her post So I Put The GoPro Camera On My Kids… The video is adorable & her lessons learned are so […]
July 2, 2015 at 8:51 amWhat a great idea I could have used these with a couple of mine. Thanks for sharing, followed you here from the Tell it to Me Tuesdays party.l
July 2, 2015 at 2:26 pmThank you for stopping by!
July 2, 2015 at 2:55 pm