❤️ Day 5 – The Weekend Reset: Why Our Children Need Our Presence More Than Our Perfection
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It’s Saturday morning. The house is louder than usual. One child is already cranky. Another seems distant. And here I am, tired, juggling chores, guilt, and business ideas all at once.
But something inside me whispers: “This is the moment that matters.”
During the week, life moves fast. School drop-offs, tight work deadlines, last-minute dinners. Even as loving, intentional parents, we miss things. We don’t always notice the tiny emotional bruises our kids collect — from a hard day at school, a friendship conflict, or just the pressure of being little in a big world.
That’s why weekends aren’t just about catching up on laundry — they’re about catching up with our children’s hearts.
🧠 What Gábor Maté Taught Me About Presence
Dr. Gábor Maté reminds us:
“Children don’t get traumatized because they’re hurt. They get traumatized because they’re alone with the hurt.”
It’s not about preventing all pain. It’s about being emotionally available after the pain.
As a mompreneur, I’ve learned that quality time doesn’t mean big outings or expensive plans. It means being present enough to:
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Notice the mood change
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Sit down without a phone in hand
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Say, “You seemed a little quiet today — want to tell me about it?”
That tiny moment can undo a whole week of disconnection.
🧒 Why Little “Misbehaviors” Often Mean Big Feelings
Gábor Maté also teaches that behavior is communication. That tantrum? The backtalk? Even the sudden clinginess — it’s not disrespect, it’s a signal:
“I don’t have the words to tell you I’m overwhelmed.”
Weekends are our sacred chance to regulate, reconnect, and reset.
Instead of reacting with frustration, we can ask:
“Is this behavior a cry for help? How can I be the calm in their chaos?”
💬 What I'm Practicing Now (And You Can Too):
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Create buffer space on weekends — even 20 minutes of child-led time can work wonders
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Ask open-ended questions — not “How was school?” but “What was the best part of your week?”
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Model emotional regulation — naming your own feelings helps them name theirs
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Repair small cracks — “Hey, I was distracted this week. Want to do something together now?”
🌿 Final Thought:
The point isn’t perfection — it’s presence.
Our kids don’t need us to be supermoms 24/7. They need a safe place to fall apart, ask hard questions, and be loved when they’re at their messiest.
That’s the kind of mother I’m learning to be — even while building a business. Even while healing myself.
And I hope you’ll give yourself permission to do the same this weekend.