Parenting is Hard

As parents we desire the very best for our kids. We want to love them with all that we are, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that parenting is hard. We mess up daily. This conflicting interest of desiring the best for our kids while being imperfect is a tough battle. Not only do we fall short with things we can change, but feel overwhelmed by things we can’t change.

I was the Best Parent before Kids

Before kids I was the best parent ;) This is my personal joke. Before timmy and Izzy, I was sure 1 + 1 = 2. There was rhyme and reason to things. My thought process was that if you disciplined your kid, you would have a little angelic cherub submitting to your every word. Perish the thought, my kid having a temper tantrum in the store, or refusing to eat his meal! I was sure only kids who weren’t disciplined behaved that way. Well, here I am child #2. Now when I see the tantrums happen, I empathize with the parent. God bless them. May they survive the day.

Grace for the moment

“Grace for the moment” brings on a new perspective. Life really is a moment to moment mission. What does God have in store for me right now? Sometimes the moment is established because I step on something, so that moment I pick up the object that interfered with my path. Other moments are filled with such joy as I watch my toddler run down a path with his dad, or my daughter smiling, because, of course, her parents are the funniest.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34

Weight of the World

Sometimes I feel helpless. Today my child is sick. I can only temporarily calm her down. I feel awful. Yet, even though I have no control over her sickness, I feel bad that I can’t do anything but momentarily console her. As a parent we take on the weight of the world. Things we can and cannot control somehow fall on our shoulders. If we thought we had any form of control before parenthood, we realize that is all out the window with kids.

Feeling Inadequate

Somedays are filled with the realization of falling short of my parenting duties. Emotions of feeling helpless and inadequate creep into play. I find myself wondering if I am the best person for this job?

My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Be Thankful

Be thankful through everything. This task seems daunting, but it will save you from many regrets. Every season, will have its highs and lows. Sometimes I find myself looking forward to the next season, yet in the midst of this progression I realize I am forgetting to appreciate the moment, and all the joy that it brought.

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

I Love my Kids

I know I’m not perfect, that’s for sure. Yet, I also know that I love my kids with all my heart. I will do the best I can for them, and pray that God makes up the difference. If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that I can’t do this on my own. My kids are too precious to fool myself into thinking that I can.

Prayer

Dear Jesus please grant us the wisdom to help shape and mold our children’s lives with love and compassion. Allow us to cherish the moments even when we are running on empty. Please grant us the strength to show them unconditional love through every season we are given. They are truly a gift. Teach us to be thankful through each moment. Amen.

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24