Tuesday, April 8, 2025
I have been trying to revisit The Happiness Project this year and to be honest, I haven’t been very successful. Is this because I have done it before and many of the themes are already ingrained in me? Plus, I have listened to her podcast for many years? I feel like I get more inspiration these days from the Fiona Ferris books. Anyway, we will see if I continue or not after this month.
Gretchen Rubin’s April Theme:
Parenthood – Lighten Up
Sing in the morning, acknowledge the reality of peoples’ feelings, be a treasure house of happy memories, and take time for projects
I am in a new stage of parenthood. I have learned a lot this past year and throughout the college years. It frustrates me sometimes when my kids don’t do things the way I would do them, but I have realized that my relationship with them is more important than doing things my way or having the neatest most minimalist house. They leave 10 minutes later than I would leave for anything they go to – work, appointments, social things. I can’t be their alarm clock. I have had a hard time not reverting back to my old parenting style of the high school years. I try to say things like, “let me know if you need help with that”. I also try to tell them when I am stressed out and need more help in certain areas. I do ask them their schedules for help with Eddie Otis, but you would also do that with a roommate relationship.
I wake up in a good mood. I think I parented in a fun way when my kids were little and there was always lots of singing. I have thought a lot about my legacy and how people will remember me and how I made them feel.
Now, when Gretchen wrote the book she had young kids. She is now an empty nester.
So, I think skimming through the chapter was good for me. I also think many of the principles I talked about are helpful in a marriage.
Here is my spring list:
Decorate for Easter (then decorate for Derby) – it’s not extreme – just mostly my mantel- done for Easter
Start putting out bird seed again – have done it once and have more bird seed ready to go. I like to include it in my Kroger order.
Host friend and his family from Spain – they have reduced stay from two nights to one night so that takes the pressure off a little in a busy month.
Make an Easter brunch or lunch – family from Spain won’t be here anymore. They were originally going to be here and I was going to do an Easter basket for the little boy and probably be more fancy with my meal. They are coming Thursday night to Friday night now.
Go to Jack’s Macbeth play and enjoy and try to understand it!
Enjoy weekend with blogger girls coming to Louisville – try not to be stressed and be relaxed!
Do one Derby event – great steamboat race at sister-in-law’s business on the river. I don’t think I am doing anything else this year and that’s ok. I may need to go to my hometown Derby weekend.
Invite people to patio
Clean up patio first
Hope and pray that Tom can fix the back deck. I miss being able to go out the back door.
Work at my mom’s house
Wear all my spring clothes or they have got to go! I have already done my first pass through my clothing.
Start cooking more spring/summer foods
Buy grill and start grilling again
Plan for kitchen renovation – hopefully starting June 2!
Read outside!
Walk outside!
Well, I think that’s enough.
Remember that this part of the school year can be the busiest and most stressful for teachers. It can also feel the longest. It’s testing season and we are usually off the normal schedule and it is just hard.
So, I will give myself grace and try to live in the moment and enjoy what I can!
Do you have a list?
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
So true about parenting in the stage of having young adult kids! I will need the reminders when two of my kids are here this summer. I will try to enjoy having them around while having some expectations of them helping around the house or with dinner. Your spring plans sound good and manageable, too. Keep in mind that the end of the school year will be even more emotional for you with this year being your last school year. Your emotions are likely to be all over the place; give yourself the time/mental space to grieve the good of your job and the things you’ll miss and to embrace all of the positives.
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Yes, you will have a bit of a learning curve again.
You are so right – I am worried that I will not do well with all the endings. I am trying to see it as a new chapter. And, my sisters and I don’t have a tight timeline and we refuse to stress about my mom’s stuff. Or, so we say!
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These sound like good goals for a fun, but busy April. The trip will be great and please don’t stress! We are all learning together on this new stage of parenting. I agree with Maria, so many emotions with the upcoming end of the school year and also working with your sisters going through your mom’s house. Continue to give yourself grace and space!
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Thank you! I hope that didn’t sound bad; I tend to stress that I’ve found the best things, that people are happy and having fun, and that I will be ready for another school week is all that I mean!
For sure – I am really ending a lot of chapters right now and I am babying myself a little.
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I was thinking as I read Gretchen’s book that it would have been more helpful with little kids around but I found as they got older most of my stresses about messes, finances, etc. seemed to go away and we’re all in a really good, happy place. Mostly I’m just bored a lot of the time but I’m frustrated because I’m stuck inside so much with our blah weather not helping one bit. I’m trying to get myself creating more as I know that brings me joy but I often don’t want to even start… then once I do I enjoy it (as long as the projects are going well!). It sounds like a great bucket list and please do not stress about us coming to visit; we are very low key. Mostly in Tennessee we just spend a day walking through town exploring shops and talking and had a lot of downtime just sitting around the rental visiting in real life.
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So true.
I get bored when I am stuck inside, too.
I tend to overthink and stress that people are having fun. It’s just my thing I do and I don’t like that sometimes I don’t live in the moment. I am going to try to chill out!
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I don’t have a list but I am looking forward to a happy spring! This will be a year of transition for us once again as our younger son moves home after graduation. He has a job in downtown Orlando but wants to live at home – I am thrilled of course! But, with him especially, I have learned to stay silent. He definitely does things differently than I would but who am I to say my way is right? He is brilliant, talented, and so far has been successful in all of his endeavors (well except waking up for his 1st college graduation – ha!). He is sloppy and messy and knows how I like things. But at the end of the day, I can spend my time enjoying him or nagging him. I’m going to enjoy him! Parenting struggles never end do they?
You have a lot too look forward to the spring!
xo,
Kellyann
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Good attitude! Also, give him a chance to have changed a bit? Maybe? I think we also can pigeon hole people into the ways we have always seen them.
The struggles really don’t end. One of mine is making growth in getting up earlier and being more disciplined so that is great!
I do!
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My girls are 17 & 22 and parenting is so different now than it was a few years ago. I have found myself stepping back a little and letting them find their own way in the world.
You have a lot on during Spring, I hope everything goes to plan.
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Yes! So true! It’s harder now possibly at these grown up ages.
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I also abandoned The Happiness Project, but mainly because I keep forgetting about it. I agree about the parenting thing- it’s hard to change that as they get older. I love my relationship with my sons now; I am their friend and they’re mine. They’re protective of me and we tell each other EVERYTHING. And I do mean EVERYTHING, including all the uncomfortable things.
I love your list and want to make my own. Maybe I’ll do that next week! Happy Tuesday, friend! Much love. xoxo
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Same and it’s just not lighting a fire under me either.
You should!
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I think we are constantly learning no matter the stage of parenting- I try to enjoy each phase- it’s sometimes hard to not look back and appreciate younger days but training myself to keep appreciating and look forward. I think you have a fun spring on tap- excited to follow along!
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So true! Thank you!
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My kids came and went for a few years, including twice when my daughter and her kids lived with us. I just learned to let it roll off my back…water off a duck’s back kinda thinking. I’m sure your blogger weekend will be a huge success as you are like an ambassador for your town. I know your legacy to many will be on of joy and laughter.
https://marshainthemiddle.com
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I bet you were warm and welcoming! You are so sweet to say that. I can be a big stress ball!
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I’m in the season of parenting where kids are grown, married, and having their own children. There are also in-laws in the picture too so lots of adapting and adjusting. It’s a fun season though, and thankfully we have good in-laws on both sides. We have purposely worked to have a good relationship with both girls in-laws, one being super natural (I’m sure we’d be friends even if we weren’t related) and one requiring a bit more effort, but we make the effort and so far so good : ) Now with a daughter moving so close and her in-laws also nearby there will be another shift and we’ll figure it out as we go. I know you’ll have a great weekend with the blogging crew-how fun!! Enjoy all the spring things you have going on. We’re hosting a Derby party at our house and the window between Derby Day and the kids moving into their own house is small. I’m trying not to stress about the amount of indoor and outdoor cleaning that needs to be done in that window. I can live with a little less than perfect and I think most guests can too. Have a great day!
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That is a different season, too! I think it’s so important to get to know the inlaws. My parents wanted to be separate but it would have made it much easier if it didn’t have to be.
It will come together. I am trying not to stress about overnight guests next week. I have so much to do.
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This is a great list! Yay for kitchen remodel.
Parenting – ugh – that’s how I can sum it up sometimes. Sometimes it’s hard being with high schoolers and then having high schoolers at home. Some days are easier than others. So true what you said about relationships more important than some of those knit picky things. I’m trying to remember that.
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Thank you! I am so excited but nervous about the timing and the mess!
Yup! It’s so hard. I know – I really have had to relax some of my standards.
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