Jul 23 2007
Thankful for other parents
As we try to be the best parents that we can be, I do find that I look to people I admire to see what works for them as parents.
Last week our Mom’s Group met at the Sunders’ where we could pick Betsy’s brain on how she manages a house of six boys (seven, if you count Ed). The original purpose was how to handle chores but it evolved beyond that to cover everything from raising nice kids, trusting in God because whatever our children become is all to His glory, and letting go of perfection. I came away feeling good that even at the tender age of two, I am still helping lay the foundation for the man he will become.
Another parent I have been looking toward lately has been Rebecca over at View from the Prairie Box. Her daughter, Livia, is so sweet to look at and Rebecca words on raising her daughter are inspiring and real. My heart breaks fro Rebecca’s church family as they mourn the loss of their church building, and Rebecca has really brought home what kind of a grieving process it has been.
Recently Rebecca shared the struggle that she and Jeremy had with getting Livia to sleep. In what might have been the final entry on the subject she posted a nugget of advice that I totally took to heart:
She suggested we come up with a short list of behaviors, four to five things, that always require discipline. And she recommended that we work on redirecting unwanted behaviors that don’t make the list. Liv’s chewing on her hair barrette? No big deal! Totally not on the list. She’s spitting in the backseat of the car? Mmm. Starting to get under my skin, but also not on the list. Spitting at me in anger? Definitely discipline-worthy.
While I have my list of discipline-worthy behaviors that Fuller does, I am having to remind myself there are things that my son does I just need to let go. Fuller chews his nails. I ask him not to, but it doesn’t warrant discipline. But if Fuller starts to put toys or paper or books in his mouth- that does warrant discipline.
I am thankful for these other moms that I know who encourage me, even though they may not know it.
After a long, terrible parenting kind of day I stopped by your blog to eagerly read this post. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Liv and I could be helpful to anyone! It was a God-filled moment where He called me out of a hard day to look at the bigger picture. Thanks for the kind words, Alli.