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By Meredith Ethington

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Family kid ideas

That Time We Took Our Crazy Circus to The Ringling Brothers Circus

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I received tickets to the Ringling Bros. circus in exchange for this post. 

My only experience with a circus was several years ago when I took my oldest to an old tent out in a field (not Ringling Bros.) in the middle of the summer. We sat in excited anticipation and honestly, I decided the circus was not really for me.  It was hot, and sweaty in that tent and far from entertaining. My then two-year-old was actually bored.

So, when Ringling Bros. contacted me and asked  if I was interested in checking out their circus, I jumped at the chance. I’ve heard great things, and I was not disappointed.

ringling-brothers-circus-collage

My kids were beyond thrilled, too. Show up early because there is plenty to do before the show starts. They had a dance party before to get you excited, booths, and even brought one of the tigers out to explain how they train them before the show!

Ringing Brothers Circus

Ringling Brothers says, “Out Of This World is unlike anything ever seen in Ringling Bros. history. The show captivates audiences with its first-ever character-driven storyline and ice performances that invite fans to follow a heroic quest of good versus evil on an intergalactic adventure.

It is being called the largest refresh in the brand’s nearly 150 year history. It will be a multi-sensory show featuring immersive technology, an interactive, action-packed, and space-age storyline, and unbelievable performances by gravity-defying acrobats, majestic animals and hilarious clowns. For the first time, the show will also feature thrill skaters – and acts will seamlessly transition from floor to air to ice, a feat never before done in Ringling Bros.”

If you’re looking for a fun activity for the whole family, then Ringling Bros. Circus is it. None of us were bored. The sets were amazing, and the circus moved quickly from one thing to the next. The two hours passed so fast and it has tons of excitement for adults, and plenty of fun stuff for the kids, too.

ringling-brothers-circus-3

I had several moments where I gasped as the performers were performing, and my kids were talking about it the rest of the day. And there was so much going on, at times you didn’t really even know where to look, because you didn’t want to miss a thing!

I loved the trapeze performers, the motorcyclists in the cage, and the horse performers were amazing. And, as the lions batted at the trainer, you realize just how difficult everything they are making look so easy really is. It makes for an exciting two hours to say the least.

ringling-brothers-circus

And, the interaction between the big cats and their trainer made you feel like those animals are really loved by all who work with them. I was amazed at how the lions and tigers snuggled up to their trainer, and let him kiss them right on the mouth!

circus-collage-2

And, the acrobatics, and costumes made you feel like you were having a once in a lifetime experience. You are. This year, the theme is an Out of this World experience, and it really is! My kids loved all the bright lights, and fire, and music. And, much of the performance is on ice! Very cool.

ringling-brother-circus

We even got snowed on and my boys were in awe as part of the rink had a circle of fire on it! I just can’t say enough at the priceless looks on my kids’ faces. They loved it.

We ran into some friends at the show, and they said they went with their family last year, and just knew that they had to go again this year because it was so fun and their kids were totally entertained. I have to say, my kids were too and this might have to become a yearly tradition for our family as well! Thanks Ringling Bros. for a once in a lifetime experience.

ringling-brothers-circus-4


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Welcome! I’m Meredith.

Mom. Writer. Diet Coke connoisseur. Born and raised Texan. Lover of real talk and laughter with a hint of sarcasm mixed in.

The Mother Load

Perfection Pending on Instagram

perfectpending

Mom • Author • Mental Health Therapist In Training
Grab my new book, The Mother Load, available now. 👇👇

Meredith Ethington
Working on figuring out my mission as we speak. ❤️
Is anyone else like this? #dietcokeaddict #pebblei Is anyone else like this? #dietcokeaddict #pebbleice #adhd #momlifebelike
Hello friends, it’s me. Meredith. Here are a f Hello friends, it’s me. Meredith. 

Here are a few things I’d tell you if I could call you all up: 

❤️ It’s ok to say no to things.

❤️ Your kiddos don’t need perfection - they need real. Emotional, Messy, flawed, etc. It helps them know their emotions are valid. 

❤️ Having anxiety or depression does not mean you’re an inadequate parent. 

❤️ Never be ashamed of asking for help or going on medication if necessary. 

❤️Kids can be draining. Take time for yourself. I promise you’ll be able to be a better, more present parent if you do this. 

❤️ Boundaries are your friend. People that make you feel like you’re not enough are not. 

Hang in there. It doesn’t get easier - like at all. But you get stronger.
I wrote this a few years ago. It helped me process I wrote this a few years ago. It helped me process feelings of never measuring up and feeling lIke someone else would do it better than me. 
I don’t feel like this very often anymore. But I know that there are plenty of mothers out there that do. You aren’t alone. 
The experience of Motherhood is definitely something that humbles even the most confident mothers. 
I wasn’t one to have much confidence once I began but I got there eventually. 
If you’re in this headspace of wondering if you’re enough I’m here to tell you:
1. You are. 
2. This is NORMAL. 
3. This post is for you. 
Read it on my substack now and consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. ❤️ It supports me as I hopefully support you.
I certainly didn’t. @a.mom.uncensored I certainly didn’t. @a.mom.uncensored
I see nothing wrong here. I see nothing wrong here.
Still not there yet. 😑 #ikea #momlifebelike #ik Still not there yet. 😑 #ikea #momlifebelike #ikeahack #jokesfordays
This was my mom’s desk when she was little. At s This was my mom’s desk when she was little. At some point it got passed down to one of her grandchildren. Then it made its way to my house and all three of my kids have used it too. 
My middle decided he was done with it and I had no idea what to do with it. It’s almost an antique at this point and I knew my mom felt sentimental about it. It’s heavy and tiny but it has good bones as they say. 
My mom lives too far away to come get it and the grandkids are all getting too big to want this desk in their rooms. 
I walked around my little house looking for a spot for it. There really isn’t one. 
Could it be an end table? Or swapped out for an entry table? 
But then I walked into my bedroom and saw this bare wall. It’s not ideal. My husband will hate it. But I’ve been thinking that I needed a study spot in my house (in a room with a door that shuts and locks) since I’m in school again at 46 years old. 
I’m hilariously too big for this little desk but also it seems just fine for sitting and writing papers. 
The older I get, the more I realize that this life is short and I’m sure it will make my mom happy to know I’m not only hanging onto this desk a little while longer but it’s going to be used for actual school work again instead of hoarding useless scraps of paper, half filled notebooks and dull crayons no one has touched in years. 
I’m breathing life back into this desk for a few more years and it seems symbolic of my taking something old (me) and using it for something new (becoming a therapist). 
I’m not super sentimental about furniture but I’m sentimental about the people that I love. 
She loves this desk so I guess I’ll love it a little longer on her behalf. ❤️
🚨Vulnerable post alert! My latest on substack: 🚨Vulnerable post alert! My latest on substack: "I feel depressed that it’s back, when I had been handling things so well.
I feel hopeless that although I know it will end, that it will come back again.
I feel embarrassed that I’m sometimes mean to the ones I love most.
I feel like I want to give up.
I feel tired.
I feel overwhelmed by the tiniest thing.
I feel alone. I feel like I’m literally the only one feeling that way in that moment even though I know I’m not deep down. But, anxiety makes me feel like that.
I feel like I just would be better off if I could disappear."
First day back after a week long vacay to the fun First day back after a week long vacay to the fun of carpool and the reality of being a responsible adult is kicking my boot-ay. Can you tell? 😅
Yup. 😂 @themumcrew Yup. 😂 @themumcrew
Best thrift find ever. 😂 Best thrift find ever. 😂
Mental health matters. ❤️ Mental health matters. ❤️
You get the full tour if you’re my friend. You get the full tour if you’re my friend.
Because apparently it belongs to no one. 😑 Because apparently it belongs to no one. 😑
Just like building muscles in our body, to have go Just like building muscles in our body, to have good mental health we need to build muscles in our brains as well. What does that look like? 

For me, it often looks like practicing things that make me uncomfortable. 
Saying no. Setting boundaries. Sitting in discomfort with feelings I don't like. Being OK if someone is mad at me. Learning to validate MYSELF. You get the idea. 
But, really it can be anything that you need to work on but makes you feel REALLY uncomfortable. So much so that it feels like your brain is literally rejecting it. If you want to build that muscle in your brain that is OK with disappointing people in favor of your own mental health, you have to treat it like muscle building in your body. 

1. Do it often enough. 
2. Start small, and work your way up. 
3. Go heavy when you're ready. 

Practicing it often enough is really when you're going to get big results. Soon you'll get used to those negative feelings that come along with telling someone no and knowing they're disappointed. You'll build up endurance to tolerate the feelings and be able to sit with them and let them go. And finally, it will become second nature to you to do all those things you didn't think you could do. Just like strength training for a marathon - consider strength training for your mind. 

One thing I'm working on is telling myself I'm OK. I struggle with seeking validation from others when really I need to be seeking validation from myself. Because MYSELF is good, worthy, and OK 99% of the time. 

What are you practicing right now? I'd love to hear if this is true for you.
Love this so much. @nellie_scales Love this so much. @nellie_scales
If you’ve loved anything I’ve written, conside If you’ve loved anything I’ve written, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber on Substack where you won’t miss any of my posts. Here’s the latest - link in profile. 

#mentalhealth #anxiety #depression #mentalhealthawareness #stopthestigmamentalillness
For the moms fighting all the battles no one sees. For the moms fighting all the battles no one sees. My latest on substack. ❤️ Link in profile
Truth right here. Truth right here.
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