5 Ways Having Kids Taught Me to Live #GetInTheGroove

Disclosure: The following content has been sponsored by State Farm®.


I’m someone that always knew I wanted kids. Thinking back, maybe it was subconsciously thinking about all the things I would either do differently or be able to give them that I didn’t have growing up. At any rate, I always knew that I would be a great mom and a great first teacher to my future kids (shamelessly tooting my own horn). But I had no idea how much my children would teach me about life. I had no idea that before kids, life was beautiful, but life after kids is grand.

MomsNCharge - family - Christine St.Vil 4

Here are 5 ways having kids taught me to live:

1. Focus on what’s important

It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my third child that I truly began to understand what this meant. It’s so easy to chase after things that ultimately don’t matter. For me it was a job that I became miserable in. Having kids taught me to live the life that I want to live, and create the life I want to create, instead of allowing someone else to dictate that for me.

2. Make yourself happy

When I observe my kids, they’re not waiting for anyone to swoop in and tell them, “Ok, I’m here, you can have fun and be happy now”. They create their own happiness. They make up their own fun and their own games. And they’re quite happy doing so. Having kids taught me that I don’t need anyone else’s permission to create my own happiness.

MomsNCharge - family - Christine St.Vil 5

3. Don’t take yourself so seriously

My kids are some of the goofiest you will ever meet. They get if from their dad…ok and maybe a little bit from me too. I feel like before I had kids, I was a lot more uptight and self-conscious. I cared a lot about what other people thought about me. But when I look at my kids, they are (for the most part) carefree. They laugh at themselves and at each other. One minute it can be quiet and the next, everyone is erupting into uncontrollable laughter. Having kids taught me how to let my hair down, and embrace my own imperfections.

4. Get excited about everything

I love surprises. So naturally, I love to give surprises. And it doesn’t take much for my kids to get excited. It doesn’t take much to put a smile on their faces. And the secret word to get them to behave and not ask questions about where we’re going is to tell them, “It’s a surprise”. Anything that we say is a surprise, they know that it’s going to be fun. They know that it’s something to get excited about. With so much negativity that goes on around us, it makes me happy to see them get excited about even the littlest things. Having kids taught me how to appreciate even the little things.

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5. Forgive freely and easily

No matter which way you slice and dice it, when someone has hurt you, or has done something bad against you, it can be hard to “turn your cheek” and keep it moving. My kids fight and argue just like any other child. But they love it out way more than they fight it out. They could be upset with each other one minute and be hugging each other the next. And they don’t keep hashing out what the other person did that made them upset, days, weeks or months later. Once they’ve forgiven, they keep it moving. Having kids taught me that to forgive is to live. They taught me that no matter the present circumstance, life goes on.

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All in all, having kids has truly taught me how to get in the groove! So I encourage you to “Get in the Groove” with State Farm® for a chance to win a trip to the 2015 Essence Festival® in New Orleans. Just Instagram a photo or video of your best dance moves using #StateFarmGroove & #ContestEntry, and then upload it here using our “Connect to Enter” Instagram button!

State Farm - #getinthegroove#getinthegroove - Essence FestivalOne Lucky Winner Will Receive:

  • Round-trip coach airfare for winner and one (1) guest to New Orleans
  • Four (4) nights, five (5) days hotel accommodations in New Orleans
  • Two (2) tickets per night to the ESSENCE Festival®concerts in New Orleans
  • Two (2) VIP Experience tickets (tickets to various VIP events provided by the ESSENCE Festival®)
  • Transportation to and from the New Orleans, LA, airport
  • The winner will appear in an ESSENCE and State Farm®video on ESSENCE.com

How do you “get in the groove” and enjoy everyday life?


Disclosure: As a member of The bLink Marketing Network, I received compensation for this sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of State Farm. The opinions and text are all mine.

 

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20 Comments

  • Kita
    June 12, 2015 at 2:56 PM

    Getting excited about everything is hard even when its exciting news. I had a friend come up out of the blue and while it’s great to see her she interrupted my normal schedule I was a bit upset because I do everything on a time line but you know what we have to get out of that schedule thing and just live. Great post!
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    • Christine St.Vil
      June 16, 2015 at 2:33 AM

      Thanks for sharing Kita! It’s hard when things like that happen (I’m always getting interrupted with the kiddos). But I try to remember that most times people mean well.

  • Ashley
    June 12, 2015 at 5:37 PM

    Great tips, Christine! It’s great to be able to live lighthearted and a little carefree when raising children. Life can get overwhelming enough, so these tips are great for learning how to coast through it all.
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    • Christine St.Vil
      June 16, 2015 at 2:34 AM

      Thank you Ashley! Sometimes we just have to take a step back and take some deep breaths. I have to remind myself that everything is not all that serious.

  • Stacie
    June 14, 2015 at 10:07 AM

    Kids can teach us so much in life. My favorite is how quick children are to forgive. We adults could learn a thing or two from this.
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    • Christine St.Vil
      June 16, 2015 at 2:35 AM

      Mine too Stacie! Whenever I’m having trouble in that department, I look at them and how quick they are to forgive each other and even myself when we’ve done something wrong.

  • LaShawn
    June 14, 2015 at 4:52 PM

    Kids teach us so much! Before I had my son I wasn’t half as spontaneous or easy going. He’s taught me to go with the flow more than I would have before I had him!
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    • Christine St.Vil
      June 16, 2015 at 2:36 AM

      I love that LaShawn! I’ve definitely found my “laid back” mode since having kids. I just love how free spirited they are.

  • Lauren
    June 14, 2015 at 6:25 PM

    While I’m not a parent, I’m a teacher, so I am surrounded by kids nearly all of the time. I agree with not taking yourself so seriously. I like to get silly and have fun with them.

    I wish the best of luck to all who participate in the contest!
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  • PATRICE M Foster
    June 15, 2015 at 1:45 AM

    Great tips kids are a joy to have around especially when they are younger. Especially like #5 children teaches us to be open and free something we as adult take for granted.
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  • Tameka
    June 15, 2015 at 8:18 AM

    I’m completely ready to get BACK into my groove, Chrissy. For so long I’ve allowed so many distractions (fear, doubt, worry) to get in the way. I’m ready to live my most vibrant life yet! And I’m doing it now! Thanks for this post. Kids have a way to bring out the best in us and I can’t wait to have 3 of my own like you!

    Meek

    • Christine St.Vil
      June 15, 2015 at 4:40 PM

      Yes, yes, yessssssss Meek!!! This has got me doing the bang head bounce (yup!) LOL Do it girl, so excited for ya!

  • Michellette "MimiCuteLips" Green
    June 15, 2015 at 9:01 AM

    I so agree with the things you’ve shared. While I didn’t have dreams of Motherhood once I became a Mom my view was one sided. I never thought about all the things my kids would give me in return. Motherhood has been my greatest joy, it reminds me that life is to be treasured. Like your family we are really silly and like to have fun.

    The kids do a good job of keeping us honest with ourselves.
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    • Christine St.Vil
      June 16, 2015 at 2:39 AM

      Yes indeed Michelette! I had no clue how much my kids would teach me in life, it’s amazing! Being silly and having fun is a prerequisite in this house LOL

  • Julian @BoldFearless1j
    June 15, 2015 at 9:45 AM

    LOVE this post, and love the pics even more. Although I might be just a little bit biased 🙂 This is such a great reminder to appreciate the time you spend with your children and what you’re teaching them. They learn it by watching you!
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    • Christine St.Vil
      June 16, 2015 at 2:40 AM

      haha thanks sis! Yes, like they say, “children pay attention to what you do, not what you say”.

  • Tyra
    June 15, 2015 at 11:42 PM

    It is so important not to take ourselves to seriously. Find the humor in life, that’s what its all about!
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    • Christine St.Vil
      June 16, 2015 at 2:31 AM

      I agree Tyra, there’s enough to be serious about in this world, and humor is the best way to shake off stress 🙂

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