Friday, July 17, 2009

struggles

Daily Struggles - this has been at the forefront of my quiet times lately as well as prayer time and daily living

Loving my children vs Disciplining them ( I know these go hand in hand, but often times I feel as if I am just so hard on them, always saying "don't do this, don't do that, don't touch that, don't say that, stop screaming, use a quiet voice, say please, say thank you, don't hit, etc, etc, etc) Such is the life with a 4, 2 and 1 year old???? Then I pledge to be gentle and loving ALL.THE.TIME and that doesn't work either - can't I find a balance?

Martha vs. Mary - a recent topic in my current Bible Study - I am sooooo a Martha, but I want to be a Mary - I know I should be a little of both - it's all about the timing!!!!

Being a wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter, employee, housekeeper - all.at.the.same.time!!!!

What's good and what's best - this is a current stuggle I am having regarding activities and family time - our schedule for the Fall is looming - Emma Claire is starting kindergarten and there are so many things that come along with that. She has done gymnastics and dance for the last couple years and she still wants to participate in BOTH, along with cheerleading in the fall and soccer in the spring (and possibly a theatre production). My biggest hurdle is that dance is going to 2 days a week (optional), but all of her friends are taking this route. We also go to church every Wednesday night and try to attend on sunday nights. I am very serious about "family time" and dinner at home together most nights. We are not quite at the point to decide between activities, soon that will come - she will have to choose. I'm afraid if she doesn't participate "like everyone else" she will fall behind. I know many of you moms are past this point with your children and I would LOVE some wisdom here! I all sounds so trivial, and in the great scheme of eternity and God's plan, maybe it's not important - but it's important to HER now, so it's important to me!

I would love to share more, but I've got to run - just keeping it real here!

3 comments:

Katie said...

I have no kids, obviously, so I can't comment on that part. What I will say though, is you are superhuman to me. Supermom, superwife, superfriend. You seem
to be able to do it all and with grace like I've never seen. No matter what you chose to do abt ECs activities or anything else, they should all know that they have one amazing mommy!! I love you!

Love Being A Nonny said...

My *kids* are 28,29 and 30. Two boys and a girl in the middle. They all did it all. I was a stay at home mom and I ran myself crazy but I was willing to give up *my* time for *their* time for lots of years. I wondered then, and I wonder now, if it was the right thing to do. They were able to keep up with their school work so that wasn't a problem. My theory was that being busy would keep them occupied doing good, healthy things. It worked! They were too busy to have much idle time. The boys played most sports and swam on a swim team in the summer months when school ball slowed down. My daughter danced, took gymnastics, cheered and played the piano. I don't know that any of them were GREAT at any one thing but they sure had a great time. I tried to have dinner ready early so that we could sit together as a family. Sometimes that meant praying at a stoplight and eating in the car. But, we were together! My mom used to say that my third needed his *mobile* on his car seat instead of his bed because that's where he took all his naps! My children are having children now and I have a feeling their children will be busy bees too!

Either way you go, you may look back and realize you made a few mistakes. But they will all know you TRIED to do what was right for them and that you love them.

Julie, the mama said...

Thanks for sharing. I think we all feel this way from time to time. I read something the other day in a devotional that said it was unrealistic to expect to be a perfect mama, but that we should all strive to be a praying mama.

Whatever you decide to do about Fall, I pray God will continue to bless your precious family.

Will's side of the family

Will's side of the family

Kellie's side of the family (minus a few)

Kellie's side of the family (minus a few)

How we REALLY like to dress!

How we REALLY like to dress!

Lots of Love!

Lots of Love!

Best Friends!

Best Friends!

Children being children!

Children being children!