Comments on: I need a parenting pep-talk.

By: Katy

Katy — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:52:25 +0000

I’m still in the trenches with my 3 kids, but I will say that the age of 4 1/2 has been magical for us. I thought I was raising a deaf, defiant and eventually delinquent son at the age of 3. My words definitely went in one ear and out the other and he argued nonstop with me over everything. Now, it has all changed. It is apparent to me now that I did a good job of laying down the law during those early years, because he just responds appropriately now. Today, he banged one of his sisters beaded necklaces against the fridge and the beads went everywhere (I don’t think he knew that would happen). I looked at him and told him that he had to clean it up before we left and he calmly walked over to where I keep the children’s dustpan and picked it up and cleaned every bit of the mess up without a hassle.
So sorry to hear about your mom. I rely upon my mom a lot. I hope you have a good mother-in-law or an older friend to mull things over. I frequently have tea with one of my mother’s friends to get a different perspective.
My other advice that I tell myself when I’m feeling bogged down with too many responsibilities is this: when my kids look back they won’t remember the cleanliness of the house, or whether their laundry was always put away or whether the dishes were done, but they will remember having lots of fun with mom.
I hope this helps. You’re doing an amazing job. I love to read your blog–it’s my favorite.

By: Erin Bounds

Erin Bounds — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:09:51 +0000

Hey Annie,
I can’t say I know exactly how you feel because I don’t have any kids of my own. I DO know what it’s like to go through your adult life without having Mom alongside.
Anyways, when I am having trouble with a student who has made a habit out of driving me nuts, it helps to remember that God gave me this student for a reason. God will also equip me with what I need to point that student to Christ.
Sometimes the student leaves my class, and I wonder if I made any impact on his or her spiritual life. I have to remind myself that, perhaps, the spiritual seed has not yet pushed through the soil. In addition, it is God who works in a child’s soul. We are blessed to be His instruments. Our only concern is to glorify Him by obeying Him fully and enjoying His presence in our lives.
On a last note, God has commanded us to pray at all times with all kinds of prayers and requests. What a beautiful mandate! We can come to God with every desire that conveys our longing to trust Him wholly and obey Him fully.

By: Frances Oakes

Frances Oakes — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:38:18 +0000

OK well…. You should continue just what you are doing,because you are a patient, loving Mother and raising children doesn’t come with an instruction manual. It’s a day to day process and you love them, instill good values and teach them right from wrong and even though there are days when you think everything is going in one ear and out the other, you will turn around and they are grown and you will here your love and words flowing from their mouths when they are raising their own children…Love ya!!!