MOM Advice ♥
You Don’t Have to Perform for Me – I Release You! (FMF:: Release)
Nobody died, nor was anyone arrested or caught doing drugs. But the bomb that went off in my world was big enough to push every ‘Identity’ button in me. And let me tell you, that button has been pushed more times in the last year than I care to count.
But why should it matter? I mean, after all, it was only one week after publishing my book, “IDENTITY: Finding the Proverbs 31 Woman in the Middle of Kid Chaos” that all hell broke loose for me. Could I not have longer than one week to enjoy my ‘success’?
I think if we’re all honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that the ‘performance’ of our kids affects our ‘feelings’ of accomplishment, doesn’t it? (Or the performance of our husbands, or parents, or puppies for that matter.)
– Why else would the tired mother be thoroughly ashamed that her kid just had a complete meltdown in the grocery store, right in front of people that she respects?
– Why else would the new mommy be devastated that her baby won’t breastfeed, but her best friend’s baby is chubby, content, and sleeping through the night?
– Why else would older mothers grow deathly silent when their grown children start making choices that are completely contrary to the way they were raised?
Shame is a killer.
Mom Advice – Find a way to Agree before you Disagree!
I think it’s time for some good ‘mom advice’ again. You know those times when your kids are arguing about some topic, and each of them have valid points to say, but they AREN’T listening to each other.
Perhaps they just want to hear the sound of their own voice.
Perhaps they’re determined to be ‘right.’
Perhaps they’ve just stopped listening to what the other is saying because they’re busy thinking about what they’re going to say next.
I especially find it funny (or annoying, I’m not sure which) when they are BOTH saying the same thing, just in different words. Aaaaagh! Makes me crazy!
So, being the SuperMom that I am (yes, that’s sarcasm), I calmly (or sometimes not so calmly) point out that “Before you disagree again, find something the other person is saying that you can agree with. In other words, say something like this …..
7 Ways to Bring God into your Kid Chaos
“We know that we should be spending more time with God each day, but our biggest problem is how to find time in the middle of the kids and busyness and noise. Do you have any advice that worked for you?”
Such a sincere question, spoken in a roomful of beautiful mommies who were gathered for a morning of companionship, encouragement, and community. Moms who are dedicated to staying connected with each other in this season of babies and toddlers.
You know that verse that says “the older women should teach the younger women”? Well, I’m not sure I like the label of ‘older woman,’ but I knew I was incredibly privileged to be invited into this intimate setting to share my experience and wisdom.
I thought for a moment. My mind started replaying those early days of having four kids under the age of 6. I remembered the noise, the mess, the desperation for quiet.
“My friends, there are actually two needs here….”
Use Your LIFELINE: “I’d Like to Call a Friend”
I felt that little niggling feeling. “You’d better call her.” I knew exactly who He was talking about, and she had been on my mind all day. Brand new baby, restless toddler, and a husband away on a business trip. I promised that I’d look out for her, so I knew I should check in.
I’d like to say that I obeyed immediately, but I didn’t. I got distracted with a busy household and lunch preparations. Before I knew it, two hours had passed. No excuses.
The amazing thing about Holy Spirit is that He OFTEN whispers to us about people, exactly when THEY need it, not necessarily when it’s convenient for us.
