Today I am thankful for all the other mothers out there who offer a listening ear and a bit of wisdom. I've been struggling the past couple weeks with my role as a Mom. I think this is the first time I've been really discontent over a long period of time. Maybe winter and lack of sunshine is contributing to it. I love my boys, but it's been hard to like them the past weeks! Caleb is constantly whining and asks questions endlessly. Isaac doesn't sleep as much as I would like. I've been praying and asking God for wisdom and strength. The past couple days I've gotten some good practical tips from other Moms. It's amazing how having a few more tactics to try gives renewed energy and hope! So here are the tips I heard.
One Mom would institute talking time-outs when her child was Caleb's age. It was good for Mom's sanity and it taught the child the skill of being quiet sometimes. Why didn't I think of that before?!
A different Mom had a tip for whining. Whenever her son started whining and they were both losing control, she would stop and just hug him. Her son would calm down quickly and she could then get him to use a non-whiny voice. Again, why didn't I think of this? Obviously a child will respond better to affection than a raised voice.
So, I'm thankful for God answering my prayers and offering new perspective through other women.
Anyone have any parenting tips they've found helpful? Even if you don't have kids yet, you can still chime in!
3 comments:
Hey. Just never feel that you're alone. I'm learning that. Someone else has gone through it too. And don't beat yourself up for feeling disconted w/ motherhood. I have struggled with this since Nathan was born. Some of my unhappiness comes because I think I have to do it all and do it all perfectly. I don't know if that kind of thought pattern is affecting you too, but I have a couple things I try to keep in mind:
-Motherhood is hard. Plain and simple.
-Motherhood (and life in general) is messy literally as well as figuratively.
-I am more than what I do. (Thank heavens cuz my life involves a lot of dirty diapers!) My worth is not determined by how my kids behave; how clean my house is; how rich we are, etc. My worth comes in my instrinsic value as a child of God.
-And last but not least, I have to tell myself, "Give yourself a break!".
It's not practical advice on how to deal w/ whiny kids or far too wakeful babies, but it has helped my attitude. And I'm able to pick out and dwell on some of the better moments I have as a mother. Don't ever hesitate to call me. I'm always willing to listen. Plus, it's good for me to know what I may face in the next stage of mothering! :0)
Thanks for the support Beth. Those are really good reminders- I should post them somewhere.
Hi Stacy,
I think motherhood was, and is, one of the most difficult roles I ever experienced. But it has also been the most rewarding. I think back (guiltily) on the days that I could "get out of the house" and go to work every other weekend when you were little. Sometimes you kids were happy to see mom leave for a while too!
It was good for me to have other adult people remind me that I was more than "just a mom", I was talented as a nurse too. You have many other roles that you are really talented at, in addition to being a wonderful mom---so don't forget you are an awesome MOPS leader, a bell ringer, a talented saxophonist, a Masters prepared social worker, an awesome wife, a wonderful friend to many other women, a beautiful daughter.......I could go on and on!
Love ya,
Mom
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