This past week has been a tough week with the kids. The baby is learning to run. He has been getting into all kinds of things! He bounces from one thing to the next, and , no matter how much you baby proof, he seems to find all the things he isn't supposed to touch. The oldest is at that stage where he wants to start growing up and maturing, but he still wants to hang onto certain childish ways. The middle child has been feeling... well, like the middle child. She has been feeling left out.
As mothers, we are called on to discipline, love, encourage, train, correct, instruct, prepare, guide, sooth, and comfort. When people list off the duties of a Mom, they often list cooking, cleaning, changing diapers, sewing, etc. The first list often gets overlooked. My Mom told me one day that her generation was taught that good parenting was making sure your kids were clothed, bathed, fed and sent to school. Nothing was said of being involved in the child's emotional and spiritual well-being OR training them for what lies ahead.
Throughout this week, I began feeling frustrated with the emotional dedication parenting takes. "Am I doing a good job? Am I making a real difference?" Then, out of nowhere, two respected ladies of our church walked up to me yesterday. They both complimented me on how the children were being raised. One mentioned how when she was raising her children she could never close the bathroom door for fear of what trouble her kids would get in to. I thought of all the showers I have taken with the door closed because I don't have to worry about that. The other mom was our Pastor's mother. Wow!
Everyone seems to be seeing the friut my children are producing. Maybe sometimes I forget to notice all the wonderful things about my kids because I am so busy training, loving, disciplining, and comforting. Maybe I need to take time to stop and smell the... fruit. |
