A Message for Moms from a Former Parenting Expert
I really wish you all could have known me back when I was an expert on raising children. If only I had written this back then, maybe I could’ve offered some practical tips on how to raise the perfect child. I could’ve told you exactly what to do with that screaming toddler in Walmart or the teenager with the rolling eyes disorder. I could’ve told you just how to take long car trips with kids that never whine, cry or fight with their siblings over whose turn it is to pick the movie. And I knew exactly how to train them to help out around the house, without ever having to remind them to make their beds or put away their clothes.
But, unfortunately, when I gave birth to my first child, it somehow affected that area of my brain that had stored up all those nuggets of wisdom and it all kinda got wiped from the memory bank, leaving me in some of the same predicaments as that frazzled mom at Walmart. And what’s worse, it happened again with the birth of each of my children, so I’m basically at the point where I don’t know squat about raising kids. But I’ve come to realize that that’s right where God wants me to be.
It’s totally true that I’m no expert on raising children. But, it’s also true that I’m the absolute best choice possible to be the mother of my kids. How do I know this? Because the Creator of the universe gave me this job. He knows best and He knows all. And while I may have absolutely no answers in my mind on how to deal with the endless issues that arise in my kids’ lives, I have a direct line to the God who gave them to me and that’s the only thing I need. There are days when I have no idea what to say to correct or help my kids through a specific situation and then I realize it’s almost like I have a built-in earpiece with the right words coming through and telling me what to do. And as long as I’m listening to that, I can know I’m doing the right thing.
I’d love to sit here and tell you that, because I’ve discovered this about myself as a mother, everything in this family is hunky-dory, but there are too many people who could read this that know the truth, so that idea’s shot.
I could post this recent Easter picture of me and my kids and maybe you’d think “How sweet.” And I could leave it at that.
Or, I could tell you the real story behind the pic, which is a pretty good snapshot of our everyday lives…
Number 3 voicing her complaints about who-knows-what…
Number 2 trying to solve the problem…
Number 2 actually putting bunny ears on her mother…
Number 2 trying again with her brother. (Mom starting to get fed up.)…
Number 1 and 2 being, well, teen-agers…
Number 2 still at it…
Number 1 making Mom almost lose it…
Numbers 3 and 4 getting sick of standing still…
And everyone smiling because Mom threatens to take away all the Easter candy if we can’t get one decent picture.
So, yes, we’re way less than perfect. And I’ve made a lot of mistakes. But, I have a message for that mom out there who’s reading this and thinks she can’t do the job anymore.
You can.
Stop comparing yourself to that other mom who seems to have it all together. If you could see all the “out-takes”, you would see that she’s struggling, too. And if you have one of those children that’s just really hard to deal with and you think you’re at the end of your rope, hang on. And remember, there’s no better mother for that child than you. And whether your children came to you through birth or the miracle of adoption, God chose you on purpose. And He will not leave you to figure it all out for yourself. Let Him help you. Contact me to know more about having a relationship with God.
And one more thing:
Happy Mother’s Day
to the
Best Mother in the World
for your child
—You!
Our Pinteresting Family
May 11, 2012 @ 11:54 am
I love this post! Thanks for being so honest. I'm only the mom of a two year old and I feel like I need to stop comparing sometimes too. It's hard not to when you are having a rough day, but in the end everyone does what is best for their children whether it is considered best practices or not. π Enjoy your weekend. Megan
David and Dee Dee Sterling
May 11, 2012 @ 12:01 pm
Okay, so far I think this post just might be my all-time favorite from you! π I LOVED all the photos and have to be honest with you…when you originally posted the final beautiful photo of you and your kids for Easter and said that you had to threaten to take away all the Easter candy, I doubted you big time! π I just couldn't believe it by looking at the finished, polished project. You are beautiful and you have great looking kids, even if you are all not so perfect. π Thanks for the encouragement. I am so thankful for the privilege of being the best mother in the world of my kids!
Buggy In Kindergarten
May 11, 2012 @ 12:51 pm
I love this post! I don't usually share blogs on facebook… but yours just got shared! What an inspirational story. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures and the back story! I hope to one day be the best mom to the children I will one day be blessed with!
Happy Mothers Day!
Laura from Top This Top That
May 11, 2012 @ 12:54 pm
what a fantastic post and message to every mom. happy mom's day to you too!
laura
Jamie
May 11, 2012 @ 12:54 pm
Amen!!!
Denise
May 11, 2012 @ 2:31 pm
I shared this post because it's something every mom needs to hear. Thanks for making me feel better about being a Mom! Happy Mother's Day!
NanaDiana
May 11, 2012 @ 6:20 pm
LOL- What a perfect picture of everyday life….and it is a good lesson for blogging, too. Nothing is EVER as perfect as it seems. Happy Mother's Day- xo Diana
Rach
May 11, 2012 @ 11:04 pm
Beautiful post. The out takes made me laugh, thank you for your blog!
Jenni
May 12, 2012 @ 10:06 pm
This is the best Mother's Day post ever! I love your honesty and have to say thank you for the encouragement! π I know these things are true, but need to be reminded of them! What a blessing to know we are not alone, that we have the Lord to guide us, because parenting is not easy!
Happy Mother's Day to you! π
Blessings,
Jenni
Haddock
May 13, 2012 @ 11:45 am
Because the Creator of the universe gave me this job…… this is so true.
Like all those candid pics…. very natural. (good that you posted all of them)
Lisa
May 13, 2012 @ 1:39 pm
Thank you! Just what i needed to hear and see! May you have a blessed mom's day!
Lori
May 14, 2012 @ 1:46 am
I really needed to read this today! I have been struggling to figure out how to handle some behavior issues with my son while maintaining my full time job and day to day stuff and I have been stressed to the max lately because of it. But this post combined with my church service this morning made me realize that God trusts me with him and will give me the tools I need when I need them. Thanks so much for your encouragement! You have a beautiful family!
Debra Kapellakis
May 14, 2012 @ 6:57 am
God Bless You for the BEST Mother's Day message I EVER heard (read).
Ice-Family
May 16, 2012 @ 1:47 pm
An amazing post! Thank you!
Matti
May 31, 2012 @ 7:14 am
not sure how to put into words how much I appreciate you for writing this, but thank you so very much.
Matti
May 31, 2012 @ 7:15 am
thank you for writing and posting this. just the words (and pictures) I needed to be reminded of.