If I am to be honest... I am a better mom to littles than bigs...
Maybe not better, but it certainly comes more naturally to me...
Tonight we held a family meeting and discussed all the things we want to do in the coming year... some very basic like ...
Have a family game night (Jo's idea)
When we are all home and the weather is nice to play a family sport outside. (Caleb's idea)
Lift weights (Lou and Greg's idea)
Go to bed earlier (My idea:)
Be kinder to each other (Anna's idea)
But then we tried to get more creative...
Have one new family over for dinner every month...
Random acts of kindness each month...
Be better about writing cards or letters to loved ones...
Eat out of the pantry and freezer this whole month ... (only buy fresh fruits/veggies and dairy:)
Wow, the new year has me wanting to start afresh in many ways. My personal list will hopefully help to focus me and keep me more accountable to the things I want to change or improve on.
Honestly, when I look at our 3+ years here... A lot of it is a total blur... After losing Samuel so much of our first year I was just trying to manage my grief and accomplish the basic tasks of schooling and caring for our kids. I look back and my oldest had just turned 11. Fourteen is a whole new ball game. We laugh and call him our man child... He is part child; still free spirited, sensitive, fun loving and funny! But then there are so many ways that he is completely a young man. And I have to admit there are many times I am scratching my head as to how to best handle new parenting situations.
I love being a parent... Besides my Savior and my Greg... my children are my highest priority and I love being a mom. But I would be lying if I said that there were not times that I was frustrated with my kids or my parenting.
This post totally spoke to my heart today. In 2012 I want to serve God better. I want to do a better job as a wife and mother... Will I fail? For- sure! We all will since no one is without fault. But this post was the perfect starting point for me in this new year.
I have never really struggled with raising my voice and yelling... but this year I want to actually speak gently. I want my kids to listen to what I say, and not be tempted to tune me out just because of my tone. I don't want to lecture my kids out of anger... Shoot I don't like being lectured to:)
Courtney writes in this blog post... "When we as moms go on a long rant about something the child has done wrong – we may feel better because we got our feelings out – but our child has not been brought any closer to wisdom and understanding."
I don't want to just get my feelings out... I want my words to point my children to their Savior. I want my words to draw them closer to my heart and the heart of God.
Please read the rest of the blog post... I think you will find it totally worthwhile...:) Here's to the fresh start of 2012:)
1 comment:
This is my first time to your blog and I love it - your family photos are beautiful - and the music too! Thank you for joining me on this journey toward gentleness.
Keep walking with the King!
Courtney
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