Learning from Others

Over the past summer months, I have spent a lot of time with a lot of different people as we've visited family and had various friends staying with us as well.

I've noticed that each home and family has its own rhythm and habits... It's been an interesting thing to observe... from the way parents interact with their spouses and with their kids and neighbours... to their routines and how connected they are in their communities... to their attitudes and habits in the kitchen, the house and the environment!

I've noticed that I've changed as a result of living with my friends and family... It's in the little things really... but it's made a difference in our home at times!

• I've seen kids eating solid foods earlier then I normally introduced it to mine... it actually impacted how my youngest made the transition over to table foods over the summer, and she's a wonderful eater now (except for fresh fruit... I don't know if its the slimy feel of foods she can mush in her hands, but those don't make it to her mouth for some reason...)
• I watched some take a minute to fold a load of laundry as soon as it was out of the dryer. I've found that taking that minute on the spot when I can to deal with one load at a time has avoided "laundry mountain" to pile up and clothes gets put away much faster without me having to set aside a night to "deal" with it!
• I saw some fill the dishwasher as they go... when it comes to the dishes, I was one who couldn't justify using the dishwasher unless I could fill it... but I've now learned that even if I just have one bowl and glass at the moment, it always fills up eventually and its one less job for my list of things to do (even if the dishes are still dirty - at least they're out of sight!)
• Even though I am fairly careful to care for the environment, I've learned that there is still room for improvements in the little things - like filling the juice containers instead of buying juice boxes for their school lunches to reduce waste!
• I saw a mom pull out a chapter book to read to the kids any time there was a lull in the day at the cottage... sure I read to my kids every night, but we haven't gotten into chapter books... hmmmm...
• Seeing how different people operate in their kitchens and how they fit in prepping their meals in their days has motivated me to have a lot more fun in the kitchen (my husband loves to cook... I tend to step aside or do the bare minimum). It's been fun to experiment and cook some great yummy new foods the past while!

There's so much more too... like attitudes and family routines regarding physical activity and health, to safety while on outings, or playtime with the kids, (I even noticed that I sat to play more board games with the kids when we were at the cottage... why don't we make more time for that at home??), etc... 

In short, I have LOVED every moment of visiting with SO MANY friends and family over the summer. I've learned some things along the way, and it's been a joy to get a glimpse into everyone's lives and catch up, hear their hearts, worries, plans and dreams for the future and just have lots of good old plain fun and laugh together.

Thanks to all whom I've crossed paths with over the summer... it's been a blast :) Hopefully we can do it again soon!