“Life is better being a mom.”
Quit Taking It Personally
As parents, we have some pretty similar behaviors. One of those is being good at taking our kids behavior personally. Deep down we believe that our child's poor behavior means that we are incapable of being good parents. It is as if we are responsible for those thousands of choices they make daily.
Raising Kids Really Does Take A Village
I would like to sit here and tell you that me and my husband have got this whole parenting thing figured out. I would love to tell you that my children need us and only us. I'd love to even say that when they need help with something, they automatically want to come to us, and whenever they have a question, we are their first choice of people to ask. However, I'd be lying if I said that. My daughters and all kids everywhere need other adults to come alongside of us parents as we raise our children. Okay, so me and my husband are extremely lucky!
Raising PATIENT kids
Patience is the ability to tolerate a delay without getting upset. Let's get real, what other mamas are with me in lacking this quality?! I mean.....come on, us parents are not the most patient of people. I'll admit, my girls have heard me say things like "hurry up, just get your dang shoes on" or even heard me speak to others while driving (like they can even hear me....) by saying "move out of my way".
Raising Gentle Kids
Through this series on raising kids, I've talked about leading by example. I don't know about you, but being gentle in motherhood can be difficult. Some days you are mentally and physically drained and when something negative happens, it is easier to snap than calmly working through the situation. So in this part of the series I'm gonna focus on us moms becoming gentle that in return our children may become gentle.
Raising Humble Kids
Raising four girls, I have to emphasize humility often! Doing a homework assignment..."wow! I did perfect on that question. I am the smartest!" Twirling around like a ballerina in the living room..."Look at me mom! Aren't I the best ballerina you've ever seen?" Looking in the mirror while doing their makeup (ever so lovely)... "Wow! I am the best at makeup, ever!" Or my favorite... "Look mom, I did something really nice for sissy. I'm such a great sister."
Don't get me wrong, all of that is adorable and sweet. The confidence they have is great and I won't take that away! However, what message am I sending to them by letting them feel like they are better than everyone else?
Raising Kind Kids
When I think of the world we live in today, I wouldn't immediately think of the word "kind". I often see people judging and putting others down to make themselves feel better. I get it, we aren't perfect, and we've all been there at times. But what if we intentionally made changes to turn this world upside down and make this world a KIND place?!
Raising Compassionate Kids
Something that has been stirring in me is becoming a better parent. As sweet as my girls are, I know there are areas I can grow in teaching them. While I have wrestled with that thought, this verse came to mind "..... clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience". Yes!!! Exactly what I desire to see in my girls!