Teenage years are challenging, but the preschool years provides the other toughest chapter of childrearing. But once the elementary school years are fully upon you, you'll find some relief, as long as you don't physically wear yourself out being a 24/7 chauffeur.
When your kids can do chores correctly, and follow a routine, and control their voice volume better, it can be a great time for fond and loving memories to grow. So right now, while you feel the heat of the fire, don’t project a future full of awful fears. Stop it! Choose hope for a better tomorrow, and you'll be more likely to experience it.
What do you think Mary did as she changed Jesus' diapers? Live in the surface moment? No. She dreamed of what He would become. You can do the same. You have to, in order to keep up your hope.
As you verbalize your hopes to your kids, telling them what you envision them becoming, they will come to aspire to become just that. You will plant self-confidence in their hearts because once they know you really believe in them, it will help them believe in themselves.
Girl! You've got to train your mind to think right thoughts or you'll mess your emotions over. Think of the Apostle Paul in prison, writing to the Philippians, talking about joy. Dude, he had reason to complain, but he found reasons to rejoice.
I think you need to count your blessings. So here is an assignment: literally make a list of 50 things you are grateful for, and read that list every day this week. I'm serious. Do it!
Don’t forget: you are awesome and you're going to make it....
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Friday, January 21, 2005
Encouragement for Moms
Are you tired? Frustrated? Want to quit? Ready to resign your motherhood post?
Take a breath. You are a good mom who's been on tilt for awhile. But within a short time, by tweaking a few details and regaining your rhythm of life (time with the kids, time alone with God, time alone with your husband, time with friends) you'll find the inner peace you need to enjoy the rambunctious noise without anger, and the confidence to set reasonable boundaries for both your kids and yourself so that future anger is preempted most of the time, and you'll become transformed from an already good, solid mom to an amazingly great mom -- and still have an adult life with a mind in use.
As you lean on God's strength, you have the inner strength and outer stamina to do it. You can do it! A lot of it will be designing a daily routine and schedule that you can count on most of the time. That way you can deliberately phase in and out of the loud times and the quiet times with your kids (as they adapt to your new style). You'll identify what refreshes you emotionally and "bathe" in that for a little while each day (quiet worship time, or listening to music, or reading, or going to the YMCA, etc) = recharging your emotional batteries to play hard with your darlling kids .... those reflections of YOU who will pick out your nursing home one day .....
Don't you just love it!?
I wish we could have had more children. We love our two adult children so much now. I also sometimes miss the other two who would be in high school now.
I say this to encourage you to persevere. The reward awaits at the other end of life, and that joy will last far longer than your present pain.
It will work out. Your kids are resilient. One day you will smile back at all the tears......
You ARE going to make it!
Take a breath. You are a good mom who's been on tilt for awhile. But within a short time, by tweaking a few details and regaining your rhythm of life (time with the kids, time alone with God, time alone with your husband, time with friends) you'll find the inner peace you need to enjoy the rambunctious noise without anger, and the confidence to set reasonable boundaries for both your kids and yourself so that future anger is preempted most of the time, and you'll become transformed from an already good, solid mom to an amazingly great mom -- and still have an adult life with a mind in use.
As you lean on God's strength, you have the inner strength and outer stamina to do it. You can do it! A lot of it will be designing a daily routine and schedule that you can count on most of the time. That way you can deliberately phase in and out of the loud times and the quiet times with your kids (as they adapt to your new style). You'll identify what refreshes you emotionally and "bathe" in that for a little while each day (quiet worship time, or listening to music, or reading, or going to the YMCA, etc) = recharging your emotional batteries to play hard with your darlling kids .... those reflections of YOU who will pick out your nursing home one day .....
Don't you just love it!?
I wish we could have had more children. We love our two adult children so much now. I also sometimes miss the other two who would be in high school now.
I say this to encourage you to persevere. The reward awaits at the other end of life, and that joy will last far longer than your present pain.
It will work out. Your kids are resilient. One day you will smile back at all the tears......
You ARE going to make it!
