If you are unfamiliar with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), to make it short and sweet, it's a group that is devoted to encouraging and helping moms with children from the ages of birth-5yrs.
Today we had a "Panel of Moms". Three "seasoned", if you will, mothers (one of them was Amy's mom :) who answered a few questions pertaining to motherhood.
I thought I would share a few things that really hit home with me today:
- Once you lose your self-control, your child has gained control. First, as a parent, I need to be in control always - not to dominate, but for my child's safety and to earn her trust. Second, what am I teaching her by losing control and getting angry?
- I'm representing Jesus to my child(ren) while they are young. (no pressure. ;) How do I want her to later view God? As a harsh dictator? Or a patient, loving, compassionate Father who loves unconditionally.
- My child(ren) are VIP's. VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE. Very important. After the Lord and my husband, of course, they come first. This means before hobbies, things that "have" to get done, (i.e. cleaning, organizing, etc.) I only have them for a short time. I need to make the very most of the time we do have together.
- Treat them how I want to be treated. Seems obvious, I know. But I've seen it in my life and other peoples - oftentimes the ones closest to us get treated the worst. Would I appreciate someone talking down to me and being aggressive while trying to "teach me a lesson"? Absolutely not. And I would never treat my friends this way! Respect is a two way street. I believe this wholeheardetly. Kids are people too.
- Don't expect too much out of them, but at the same time have confidence in them. As Amy would say, don't expect them to use "adult reasoning". Should they automatically know they shouldn't yell at the dinner table? Probably not. The first
hundredtime(s) they do it, explain gently why it isn't appropriate instead of getting angry because they're not acting how you think they should. But have confidence in them by trusting them with a little more each day and trusting God to speak to them and guide them as well.
I know my little girl is only a little over a year, but I really need to start these good habits NOW. I pray that she will forgive me for getting angry in the past, but, Praise God, today is a new day! If you think of it, would you pray for me, too? Pray that God will give me patience and grace so I can pass it along! :) Thanks!
Gilly was "helping" Mama rake the yard. :)
Great post, Catie! I had a rough time with the kids this evening...thanks for the *gulp* kick n the pants!! :) I also liked the line by Mary (I think) that was basically, "You are the ONLY mother this child is EVER going to have." I need to remember that and this afternoon I was tickling Ella and she was giggling and a thought came to mind that..."I'll never have this exact moment back! It's over, gone, what do I want to spend those fleeting moments on?" YIKES! It totally convicted me and just gave me a bit of perspective...then I went on to be a grouchy bear later that afternoon...but we won't talk about that right now, k? ;)
ReplyDeleteJUST ADORABLE PICTURES!!! I LOVE THE GIANT ONE (btw, how cool is that...no more messing with the html with the updated version...thanks!) and my favorite is the last! AWWW!!!!!
Love ya!