So, apparently I think I can be funny. After re-reading last night's post a few times, I starting thinking I need to go back and take English 101. Homeschooling and two college degrees just didn't do it for my grammar and punctuation.
As you can tell, I've been contemplating mother-hood and all that goes with it. The in's and out's of daily life can become very mundane, frustrating, and downright a nerve wracking experience if I let it. Finding the humor in the quirks of individuals is an extreme necessity.
Society has granted us the privilege of living in deception if we really want to. Most of the mass media paints a picture of motherhood that is unrealistic. Not because of our own efforts, but because each child is an individual and will annoy and bless you in his or her each unique way. No parenting magazine can prepare you for your child.
I believe the reason there are so many blogs dedicated to fellow comrades in mommy-hood spilling their hearts out in comical pros is because they are learning how to live out life honestly. It is a process to learn there is humor in the ten-billionth time disciplining your child for something you told them to quit at 9am and now its wayyyy past bedtime. It's humorous because our expectations are RIDICULOUS! Not to say we shouldn't set a goal or aim to raise intelligent, polite, respectful, adults ( I mean, after all they do eventually get released into the wild of this bat-crap-crazy world)... But, I think we need build our goals around communicating to each child the heart of a good and glorious God in a way they will individually understand.
I am currently raising two very different boys. I mean, night and day folks! Will I hold them to the same standard? You betcha! Will I choose the same method of discipline? Probably. So, how then am I communicating to them in an individual manner on the important topics? Well, honestly, I don't know. There you have it. I.Don't.Know. And, that is okay. Just as much as my two boys are growing, so am I. Sad to say, but there isn't a class on how to parent your unique children. There are methods and tactics that others have found helpful. There is psychology papers, texts, and studies, but the annoying thing about them is that they don't address my child. They never will.
But, there is hope, right? Yes. There is. My only source that has been tried and true is the Holy Spirit. If you want a text on how to raise your children, a specific field guide for your rambunctious toddler and tea-sipping little lady - its out there. Of course most of you would probably know I'm referring to the Bible. Yep. Cliche. The only thing that makes this fit is that our God is the one who created your fun-sized humans. (Refer to Psalm 139)
When Jesus ascended in to heaven to be with the Father (Book of Acts) he said he would leave us a counselor - The Holy Spirit, who would teach us and guide us in truth. Good deal!!! Since the Holy Spirit is part of the tri-une God-head we can trust that He will counsel us on how to raise the children he so specifically created. Yup. There is your 'How-To-Raise (insert child's name here) book.
I 'Wanna Be' that perfect mom you find in the magazines. I want to have it all together and be cool and hip. The sporty mom who is awesome and has her kitchen flawless. Step inside my house and you find blocks everywhere, you find the last vacation's suitcases still needing to be unpacked. You will find my table is full of arts and crafts that are only half done, left over plates from last night's supper. You will see the correction of my boys. You will see tears, you will see laughing and smiles. My children are not always well behaved, they do not play well for hours with one toy.
My life is far from the 'picture perfect' of what all of mass media tells us is the way to go. But, you will find my children to be honest about their feelings, their likes and dislikes. You will see that they are allowed to explore their interests, you will see that we strive to implement biblical principles in our home. It's hairy and awkward some days because we are all learning. I'm learning how to be a mom of boys (Oh my gosh is that a trip and a half), and they are learning how to function in this world. Its a steeeeeep learning curve that will never go away and that's the beauty of it- room to grow and breathe and be who we are!
I've just finished going through a book of the Bible with the sole intention of learning how to raise my eldest son. Iasked begged the Lord to show me what to do (he's quite the wild one, you know, my little Einstein). He quickened to my mind the book of Deuteronomy. HUH!?! That's right. I will, hopefully, be starting a little series on here soon to recap what I've learned. That sounds so nice and awesome... I will probably have to have a dashboard confessional with every lesson letting you all know I have to walk out my understanding and how I fail EVERY STINKING DAY. But, raising Godly men in this house is a high priority, and the grace of God, Christ on the cross makes this entirely possible
As you can tell, I've been contemplating mother-hood and all that goes with it. The in's and out's of daily life can become very mundane, frustrating, and downright a nerve wracking experience if I let it. Finding the humor in the quirks of individuals is an extreme necessity.
Society has granted us the privilege of living in deception if we really want to. Most of the mass media paints a picture of motherhood that is unrealistic. Not because of our own efforts, but because each child is an individual and will annoy and bless you in his or her each unique way. No parenting magazine can prepare you for your child.
I believe the reason there are so many blogs dedicated to fellow comrades in mommy-hood spilling their hearts out in comical pros is because they are learning how to live out life honestly. It is a process to learn there is humor in the ten-billionth time disciplining your child for something you told them to quit at 9am and now its wayyyy past bedtime. It's humorous because our expectations are RIDICULOUS! Not to say we shouldn't set a goal or aim to raise intelligent, polite, respectful, adults ( I mean, after all they do eventually get released into the wild of this bat-crap-crazy world)... But, I think we need build our goals around communicating to each child the heart of a good and glorious God in a way they will individually understand.
I am currently raising two very different boys. I mean, night and day folks! Will I hold them to the same standard? You betcha! Will I choose the same method of discipline? Probably. So, how then am I communicating to them in an individual manner on the important topics? Well, honestly, I don't know. There you have it. I.Don't.Know. And, that is okay. Just as much as my two boys are growing, so am I. Sad to say, but there isn't a class on how to parent your unique children. There are methods and tactics that others have found helpful. There is psychology papers, texts, and studies, but the annoying thing about them is that they don't address my child. They never will.
But, there is hope, right? Yes. There is. My only source that has been tried and true is the Holy Spirit. If you want a text on how to raise your children, a specific field guide for your rambunctious toddler and tea-sipping little lady - its out there. Of course most of you would probably know I'm referring to the Bible. Yep. Cliche. The only thing that makes this fit is that our God is the one who created your fun-sized humans. (Refer to Psalm 139)
When Jesus ascended in to heaven to be with the Father (Book of Acts) he said he would leave us a counselor - The Holy Spirit, who would teach us and guide us in truth. Good deal!!! Since the Holy Spirit is part of the tri-une God-head we can trust that He will counsel us on how to raise the children he so specifically created. Yup. There is your 'How-To-Raise (insert child's name here) book.
I 'Wanna Be' that perfect mom you find in the magazines. I want to have it all together and be cool and hip. The sporty mom who is awesome and has her kitchen flawless. Step inside my house and you find blocks everywhere, you find the last vacation's suitcases still needing to be unpacked. You will find my table is full of arts and crafts that are only half done, left over plates from last night's supper. You will see the correction of my boys. You will see tears, you will see laughing and smiles. My children are not always well behaved, they do not play well for hours with one toy.
My life is far from the 'picture perfect' of what all of mass media tells us is the way to go. But, you will find my children to be honest about their feelings, their likes and dislikes. You will see that they are allowed to explore their interests, you will see that we strive to implement biblical principles in our home. It's hairy and awkward some days because we are all learning. I'm learning how to be a mom of boys (Oh my gosh is that a trip and a half), and they are learning how to function in this world. Its a steeeeeep learning curve that will never go away and that's the beauty of it- room to grow and breathe and be who we are!
I've just finished going through a book of the Bible with the sole intention of learning how to raise my eldest son. I
Watch for the up-coming blog series, Raising Boys with Moses.
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