Falling into Rhythm: How to Get Back on Track After your Trip

After almost two weeks away from home, I can truly say, there’s no place like home. Falling into our rhythm and sharing how to get back on track after a trip away in this post with Hyland’s, a company I’ve trusted and used for years. 

HOW TO GET BACK ON TRACK AFTER YOUR TRIP

Sometimes, after a trip away, whether it’s with my children or away from them, I just want to get lost in their arms, almost as much as they crave to get lost in mine. It’s as if we fall into a rhythm that is as predictable as the hum of a fan or the tick of the clock, I’m swayed to the staccato of their very breath.

I’ve just returned home from being away for far too long, and more than anything else, that is what I missed. It’s the peaceful calm to what we could most days call our storm. There is never a shortage of needs that rain down… diapers that need to be changed, laundry to be washed which dreadfully leads to folding and putting away as well, suitcases asking to be unpacked and a fridge that requires stocking. After this trip in particular, there are also a full list of deadlines that are passing with each second and yet, here I am, lulled by the rhythm of their very life force, the sounds that make their chest rise and fall bring a tranquil cadence to the room. 

So, here I sit, deadlines that are mostly met, laundry that is mostly done, suitcases which are mostly empty. Sometimes though, even in a storm of mostly, it can be the most peaceful place to be. And I’m totally okay saying that exactly as I see it.

With all the “mostly’s” in life though, feeling mostly okay isn’t good. In fact I’m learning more and more to read the cues my kids give and in turn, we’re all hearing each other more. 

I notice it as I listen to their day and follow pace with the excitement in their voice. I can see it in the times they just need a hug, and not a lecture. When I’m really looking, seeing, listening; I can tell the difference between a cranky disposition and pain. 

And in response, I’m learning to say what I see in order to give my kids the space and freedom to figure out what needs to happen next. Instead of a command to set the table for dinner, I can offer an opening like, I see that dinner is almost ready, what do you see that needs to be done to prepare? 

By now, they’ve already heard all that needs to happen to prepare for dinner, over and over and over. Now, instead of me telling them, again, what to do, they have the feeling of freedom and choice in the matter and can take it into their own hands, giving them ownership and responsibility. 

When I see that one of my little one’s is upset and before jumping right in to fix everything, I can first find out if there’s a solution they are already looking for, and many times it’s much more simple than we think. I can see you’re hurting, what can I do to help? Or an offer such as, what is it that you need? These kind of questions bring about a whole different way of thinking for them and helps us solve the problem together.

As I arrived back at home, my kids were excited to help me bring my suitcases through the door and unpack (I’m sure they were looking for little “surprises”), I noticed the “mostly” feeling okay vibe from my littlest. She was warm, her nose a tad runny and then I noticed it, those drool marks on her shirt. Baby girl is having oral discomfort again.

You know what’s crazy? So is her older brother. After a little chatting with Skylar, he told me it felt like I was only away for two days and it wasn’t that long; but that he really did miss me, and then he ended with, “and my teeth hurt.”

So while somedays it’s a hug and a cuddle that’ll be the fix, or a little advice to fill in those “mostly” days; sometimes mama needs a little extra help.

I’ve been a fan of Hyland’s natural products for myself and for my kids for awhile now, and their newest addition to their already helpful product line is just what we needed.

With both my baby and my four year old having oral pain, I turned to both Hyland’s Baby Oral Pain Relief and Hyland’s 4 Kids Oral Pain Relief for a natural, homeopathic solution for relief of pain, irritability, and gum swelling. It was the easy and fast remedy that we needed with natural active ingredients such as Arnica and Chamomilla and no artificial flavors, dyes, or parabens.
Hyland’s Baby is specifically formulated for children 0 to 2 years of age, while Hyland’s 4 Kids is for children ages 2 to 12, (and each comes in a day and nighttime version!)

As my girl fell sleepily into my arms, her gentle breathing like therapy as my heart slowed to the pace of home, we both took in that time we needed, mostly together. As Skylar flipped through his favorite book, we read, and laughed and mostly felt better. I will be reminded a little later that there will be whites to sort and stories to tell. Walks to take. Soups to stir. Needs that will rain down.

But for now, this calm is my favorite rhythm of home.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hyland’s.