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Do you feel like you're running round a hamster wheel?

Endlessly.

Ever more exhausted.

Failing to get anywhere.

You're NOT alone!

We are all so busy, busy these days, aren't we?

Rushing from one thing to another.

And hating it.

BUT if we're honest scared to get off the wheel that just won't stop.

Even if we knew how to.

And all those glossy articles about a "simpler life" don't help, do they?

We're all meant to prioritise AND plan.

AND deschedule AND delegate.

AND say no to this. AND stop doing that.

AND before we know it ... it's just another BIG list of stuff for us to fail at.

So how can we get off the crazy wheel of adrenalin fueled parenting?

How can we slow down? And actually ENJOY family life again?

Well, more and more I've found the secret is to nurture just a few basic rhythms.

Not a strict routine of must dos. AND not dos.

Just simple, lovely stuff we do every week-ish.

Simple, lovely stuff that helps us connect and share and laugh and rest together.

AND I've found these easy rhythms are somehow like soul food.

The more we follow the rhythm, the less we need the noise of busy, busy distractions.

Simple Rhythms For Slowing Down

1. A Car Free Day

Walking is the most wonderful way to slow down.

But it's hard to break the habit of hopping in the car, isn't it?

Having just one day every week-ish when you don't use it, helps.

Without the car to whizz around in, we can't all rush off in different directions.

And without even trying we slow down, do less and spend more time together.

2. Family Games Night

It can just be 30 minutes. Or an hour.

Where we all sit down - or run and hide - and dedicate our attention to each other.

No tech. No chores. No telly.

And we've learned not to worry if it doesn't happen Saturday.

Or one specific night of the week.

And just to make sure it does happen one night every week-ish.

(In case you hadn't spotted I do love the week-ish idea - it's helped us so much!).

3. Doing Chores ... Together

You read all this stuff about how children should do chores.

And how to enforce them with sticker charts and what not.

WHEN actually kids are more than happy to help out.

If it means doing stuff together.

And if they're happy peeling carrots, frying fish cakes, sweeping crumbs and dusting with us then we don't have to spend time inventing endless new activities or babysitting them with hectic tech.

4. Reading A Page Turner ... Together

You can't beat a great page-turner to get everyone to sit down and slow down BUT we've relegated books to bed time.

And the torture that is reading practice.

When reading out loud together is such a special way to slow down.

Sadly, we've just finished two totally fantastic page-turning series.

(The Cat Royal Adventures and the Sinclair Mysteries).

They were SO exciting, there was NO way could keep them for bedtime.

5. Park Days

How crazy complicated have play dates become?

Just another thing to squeeze into our over crammed calendars.

Which isn't to say, they can't be lovely.

But it's so much easier to just have park days.

One day or so every week-ish when you hang out at the park after school.

And let friends know you're hanging out.

And whoever turns up turns up.

You just go with the flow. No rushing!

Now, I know, I know - these are such simple things.

But I've discovered that IS their magic power!

They ease those niggling fears that keep us rushing from one thing to another, scared to stop.

And help us really enjoy family life again - slowed down.

I do hope these simple rhythms help you slow down.

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