More often than not, I find myself letting my kids set the tone of the day. My attitude. My outlook. My worth. Without even realizing it, they are in the driver’s seat. Of course when everyone is well behaved and in great moods, so is Mom! I got this thing down, am I right?!
But, when that first meltdown begins (usually before 8 am…), that’s when I have a choice to make. Am I going to choose joy no matter my circumstance or am I going to join in on the chaos? If I don’t take my thoughts captive right there, at that moment, it will just be a continuous cycle of really tough days. These kiddos are small, but they can have a mighty impact on our emotions. Our joy, as mamas, cannot be defined by whether or not our kids are having a good day.
(It’s easy to say this as my kids are quietly sleeping, but I have something I want to tell you, sweet mama friend…)
Your child’s temper tantrum does not define your parenting. You are not a horrible mom because your kid threw a fit in the middle of Target. You are not a hot mess because you are running late yet again. Even if you can’t seem to catch up on that laundry and the dishes are piled high, the kids’ toys are constantly disorganized and you have yet to shower today…Just know, you are a great mama! We have more power than we think. We have the power to determine the attitude of our homes. In the midst of the chaos and (what feels like) constant whining, know that you are a great mom!
Lord, give us your strength to be positive moms for our kids. We want them to see a home that is filled with joy, love and loads of grace. Give us peace in the chaos so that we can parent out of patience and not out of frustration due to our circumstances. Amen!
Leave a Reply