Low Expectations Definition

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My husband has a philosophy of low expectations. For him, it is a defense mechanism. When he is disappointed it’s as if the entire world has come crashing down. So, to prevent this meltdown he sets his expectations very low. I am generally optimistic, but being married to someone with more pessimistic tendencies has created in me somewhat of a skeptic (though I still like to wear my rose tinted glasses most of the time). Where setting low expectations has come in handy is in parenting, especially because I am a stay-at-home-mom. I usually have a to-do list running (usually several in different places: my head, my phone and a notebook). I have chosen not to expect to accomplish more than one or two things on my list…and I even include naps. So, if I get a nap one day and accomplish nothing else: SUCCESS! Get it? I use this while cloth diapering as well. When my first child was born she was so tiny the cloth diapers I had didn’t fit. I tried different versions, but didn’t want to invest in a whole other set. Another cloth diaper mom assured …show more content…

In a way, I have been blessed to come from a family that doesn’t have too many strong traditions and whose holidays were different almost every year. This makes it a little easier to have low expectations. I’ve been trained to be flexible when it comes to celebrating holidays. Let me clarify: low expectations are not the same as no expectations. I still set expectations for the holidays. For instance, I have created some of my own traditions and carry on the few I bring from growing up. I don’t want the holidays to feel just like any other time of year or day, but I also don’t want there to be so much pressure that the stress overshadows the joy. Here are some things I’ve done to help maintain focus this season on what really matters and creating a meaningful experience for my family while not becoming bogged down in social media worthy

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