Saturday, March 31, 2012

Time to Slay the Dragon

When I first became a mom, I was engulfed in naivety and adopted an unrealistic idea of the way parenting would be. With my firstborn I made homemade baby food, followed strict rules about tummy time and always bought expensive diapers and diaper cream. While pregnant with my second my mother passed away. So, as I grieved the loss of my mother and best friend, I redefined my role as a mother. I remember thinking, "I've got to be there for them wholeheartedly, because I know what it's like for my mother to no longer be with me". At some point along the way I became a martyr, for lack of a better word. Fast forward a few years and another child; now I am looking the big ugly monster in the face. This is a monster that I've created: entitlement.

While I've never felt that my kids were spoiled, the responses, reactions and downright disassociation from any responsibility (stated or implied) clearly suggests that they feel entitled to do things their own way. Because I'm old school and my parents were just plain old, I cannot wrap my brain around it, but I'm going to get to the bottom of it.

For starters, they MUST gain more responsibility. Of course they're going to revolt, but I've got to stick to my guns and follow through. JB washed dishes yesterday and though the entire floor was soaking wet, I didn't stop and take over. They both did their own laundry as well. I am hoping the additional responsibilities give them a sense of ownership and make them more aware of how they are taking care of (or not) our home. I'm also reconsidering their summer line up. I realized that having 10 consecutive weeks of child centered activities is good for entertainment and my nerves, but bad for ending a narcissistic phase. In the coming weeks I'll be searching the area for community service projects.

This is all very ambitious, but necessary. Now that I"m literally breastfeeding again, I can no longer figuratively breastfeed the rest of my family. In my best Major Payne (Damon Wayans) impersonation, "Maybe what he need is for you to pop your titty out his mouth and let the boy grow up."….." I didn't stutter, I said pop-your-titty-out-his-mouth AND STOP BABYING HIM. "

Sir, yes sir! I plan to do JUST that!

Monday, March 26, 2012

New Week. Clean Slate.

After last week, I'm hoping for a very mundane and UNEVENTFUL week!

As I start another week, I'm motivated to make progress on the home front and get some things in order. Hopefully by the end of the week I won't feel like I've been spinning my wheels and getting nowhere fast!
This morning I realized that (once again) I need to lower my standards. I'm expecting too much of everyone including myself. It's also time for me to let some things go. I'm trying to re-establish a system that worked in the past, but is totally inefficient in this season of life. Combined these two things are keeping me in a state of frustration.

Let's see: Multiple sports practices, standardized testing, car shopping and two games on Saturday, doesn't sound uneventful!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Spring Equinox



I recently took down my hanging fern for watering and was pleasantly surprised to find a perfectly shaped nest with one milky white egg inside. Every year, I find a bird's nest with egg(s), and every year I'm surprised. I'm amazed at how fragile yet resilient birds are. How they manage to find scraps of materials and use them to skillfully craft a perfect shaped nest large enough for their families, is nothing short of amazing.
The changing of seasons always serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and provision.


Matthew 6:25-30 (NIV)
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

Post Ads (Documentation Required)

Author Info (Documentation Required)