Mama- Thermostat of the Home

by Christina Huffman | More from this Blogger

22 Jun 2006 01:37 PM

I don't know about where you are, but here in Central Kentucky it's sweltering hot! One feels a special appreciation for air conditioning on a day like today. My thermostat is set to 72 degrees Fahrenheit and it feels good, especially after spending some time outside. Moms are a lot like thermostats. We have the power to set the environment of our home. We can make it a cozy place, or we can make it an uncomfortable place. A couple of weeks ago a friend and I were talking through an issue and she made the comment, "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" Based on my experiences and observations, this is true. If we are having an "off" day at my house, quite often it can be traced back to me and the fact that I am being a thermometer, rising and falling with the environment, instead of a thermostat, setting the environment. If a kid wakes up moody, I can let it affect me negatively or I can be joyful, in spite of it. If I respond to moodiness in a moody way, everything goes downhill. But, If I am pleasant, very soon the environment changes. Has anybody else noticed this phenomena?

It's easy to fall into being the rising and falling thermometer. A few years ago, I thought that's just the way life was. If the baby was having a bad day, that meant we were all having a bad day. It was kind of depressing to think about the years ahead, being tossed and to and fro by the emotions of children. It was a friend from church who shared the thermostat, thermometer analogy with me. It really opened my eyes and I think about it often. I still have to be reminded from time to time though.

How about you? Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?

It looks as though all the heat outside has stirred up a doozy of a storm. This Mama has to go set an environment of comfort and peace, as the thunder is quite loud and the little ones are scared!

Learn more about Christina Huffman

Christina Huffman is a wife, a homeschooling mom with four children, and a freelance writer. Christina and her husband Joshua have been married for ten years.

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Melissa J (13710) 22 Jun 2006 04:33 PM

I agree. My thermometer is set at about 90 today. Typically my "mom thermometer" seems to be set to the one outside. Today it's running a little hotter--lol

Thanks

Lisa Kennedy (4068) 22 Jun 2006 05:14 PM

What an interesting (and insightful way) to describe how our attitude can affect those around us!

Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 22 Jun 2006 07:36 PM

This is a great article--makes me sad for the "temperature" I created for a bit earlier today. :-( Thanks for the wake-up call. We can all use a reminder now and then.