Reflections of a Mom….
Mother’s day…That time of year when we honor all mother’s across the world. This is one job that brings us together, spans generations, connects strangers, makes us laugh, makes us cry, and exhausts even the toughest of us. So, what are the top ten lessons I have learned in my long 5+ years as a mother so far???
#1 – No matter how old you are…tag is just a fun game. There are so many versions of it and it never gets old. You can play it almost anywhere inside or outside. It’s good exercise and good laughs. On the flip side, if you ask Grandma Turtle, tag is also dangerous.
#2- Every song/every movie/every tragic news story about children will now make you cry. You relate to it in a very personal way, and waterworks are expected.
#3 – Reading to your children is so vital. It shows them how important books are. The written and spoken language is first learned at home…make it stick. Choose while you can, what you fill those little minds with. I am happy to say that my 5 year old got praised at school for always knowing the bible stories, and my 2 year old loves the story of “the Giant” (Goliath) and can point out Jesus in his bible.
#4 – Teaching your children the importance of exercise is vital. My kids go to the gym with me several times a week. They love working out with me at home, and we try to make a lot of our outside activities fun sports stuff. I couldn’t have been more proud than when Nick drew a picture of me, and it was a girl lifting weights. Go Mommy Power!!!
#5 – Sometimes you just have to say, “I’m sorry.” We all have those days when we are yelling, snapping, hustling our kids. Life is not all fairy tales, it’s the real moments. It’s learning to keep your cool, even when you are stressed. It’s saying, “I’m sorry,” when you do lose your cool, so they will learn how to do the same.
#6 – Say YES to messes. I never knew a child could be so messy until my Lucas came along. He can find a way to make grapes messy I swear! But recently I was reminded it’s okay to step outside my Mom box, and just BE in the moment. The other day when we were at the park, we ended up having a fight with the little rubber pieces and wrestling in them, stuffing them down shorts, and burying Daddy in them. We had so much fun and laughed so hard, it was the highlight of my day. And yes, it was messy. We were almost black when we were done, and I have little rubber pieces all over my house, but it was worth it!
#7 – When your child’s feelings are hurt, it’s magnified 100x to you. I think this will only get worse as time goes on. There have been several times where a child at the park, or even a parent at the park, does something that goes unwitnessed by us, but hurts my little Nicks’ feelings. He really is my tender heart child. I seriously want to go put a beat down on people. I hurt for him, and it’s like my heart is aching even worse. How do you teach your child to turn the other cheek when you want to punch someone??? It’s hoping and praying your children turn out to be better versions of you, better versions of Jesus… Otherwise, the saying must hold true, “Hell hath no fury...” (like a Mom whose child has been hurt.)
#8 – I stick to the truth that this is the hardest yet most rewarding job I have ever had. Not every day is some great adventure that we can post on facebook or make a scrapbook page out of… However, it is the little things that will keep me smiling over the years. Like how Lucas yells, “Yook (look) Mommy.” How Nick said, “Dot dot and waterlemon – those will forever be household names in our house.” Like the time when Nick wrote a note “Do not forget suitcase,” and taped it to his suitcase. The many, many times we have wrestled, played tag, played bull riding…..Those are the times I will miss.
#9 – Hold hands, hug and kiss…and DO it often. There is nothing like the feel of a little hand in yours. It’s magical, just try it. Teach your boys it’s okay to show affection. It’s okay to say I love you. My husband is 42 years old and still hugs and kisses his Mom when she leaves…I think it’s the sweetest thing ever…
#10 – Pray FOR your kids, and pray WITH your kids. In this very scary day and age, there are bad people and bad things that happen that we cannot explain. Pray for their safety. Pray for you to lead them in the way Jesus would want. Pray together – at meals, at bedtime, in the morning, in the car, when you hear an ambulance….Show them your faith through ACTION. It is the best way that they can learn.
So I will leave with this thought….
Dear Jesus…
Please help me to be the best parent I can and the best example for my children possible. I know I get wrapped up in today’s world, today’s hustle, and what other’s might think of me….help me fight that urge and stay focused on you and the end goal. Please help me be a good example of your love to my children, as you never know when they are listening/watching. Please keep my loved ones safe, especially my little ones who are so very precious to us all. And Lord, when I fail, please pick me up, dust me off, and tell me to “Keep Calm & Jesus On.”
Love,
This Tired, but very Blessed Mommy
"In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3: 6
