Teatime - A Tip from Mom

My mother called me the other day, and I was in a whirlwind of frustration. Many things had gone badly that day, and I could not seem to catch up with my to-do list. Also, my children were all quite fussy and kept bickering with each other. My mom asked if I had had much quality time with them. I hadn't. She told me to quit all that I was doing. "The chores will be there tomorrow, and unless it absolutely has to be done, put it aside for tomorrow. Make some tea and pull out a treat. Put all electronics, including the phone, away, and spend some good, quality time with the kids." It was simple, but I did as she suggested. You would have thought that it was Christmastime by the reaction of my children, and it was so wonderful! The kids loved it; we told jokes and short stories. Amazingly, in that short time all of our moods changed for the better. We did not sit there for very long before my kids asked to be excused and ran off to play together (rather well, I might add.) I even ended up completing all my chores, even with the tea time "interruption."

Teatime is now a common occurrence in our home. Sometimes we sit for ten minutes, sometimes forty-five minutes, and it is always beneficial to the spirit of the home. Some days it is as important to my mental health and joy as is having our "quiet hour." I was reminded that sometimes all my kids need for a complete mood change is just a little focused time with me.

Oh! I also bought an awesome, kid-sized stainless steel tea set! ...I'm not quite ready to risk the broken dishes.

Notes:

• Check out the English Tea Store—they have some of our favorite teas!

• You do not always have to serve the tea with a treat, but it is fun! However, kids can also be just as happy with a big scoop of honey in their tea. :)