A quick post but I had to share my latest discovery - letting things go! Chloe has had a difficult few days. I'm not sure if it's the shock of a new baby starting to sink in or because we've been inside lots due to bad weather. She has been showing all the behaviours of a stereotypical stroppy toddler; ie - doing all she can to wind up mummy!
Today I realised that my usual coming down hard on bad behaviour wasn't getting us anywhere as Chloe was looking for a battle! This was clear by the fact she was announcing to me all the naughty things she was doing ha! So this afternoon I am trying to fight my controlling nature and acting completely bored and unimpressed by Chloe's antics. And it's actually working!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Making the most of it.
'As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.'
Psalm 103:15-16
Having Livia has made me really appreciate how fleeting the early years of childhood are. Already she is out of newborn clothes and is holding her head up much better. She has put on lots of weight and is staying awake longer and longer during the day.
I love to see her develop but it feels like Chloe changed so fast that I will definitely be more patient this time. I am loving my cuddly little baby and don't want to lose that yet! Especially as she may be our last (not decided completely yet).
This new appreciation for the stage we're in now has also given me more patience with Chloe. Yesterday I was listening yo her recite from her favourite set of Charlie and Lola books which she insists on reading at least once a day. Normally I feel sick to death of those stories but yesterday I felt really tearful! I realised it won't be long until she doesn't like Charlie and Lola anymore and she won't want to 'read' out loud to me all the time.
I'm thankful for this realisation as life has been very hard the last few weeks and it can be easy to wish for the girls to be less dependent on me. But today at least I am in no rush for them to grow up!
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.'
Psalm 103:15-16
Having Livia has made me really appreciate how fleeting the early years of childhood are. Already she is out of newborn clothes and is holding her head up much better. She has put on lots of weight and is staying awake longer and longer during the day.
I love to see her develop but it feels like Chloe changed so fast that I will definitely be more patient this time. I am loving my cuddly little baby and don't want to lose that yet! Especially as she may be our last (not decided completely yet).
This new appreciation for the stage we're in now has also given me more patience with Chloe. Yesterday I was listening yo her recite from her favourite set of Charlie and Lola books which she insists on reading at least once a day. Normally I feel sick to death of those stories but yesterday I felt really tearful! I realised it won't be long until she doesn't like Charlie and Lola anymore and she won't want to 'read' out loud to me all the time.
I'm thankful for this realisation as life has been very hard the last few weeks and it can be easy to wish for the girls to be less dependent on me. But today at least I am in no rush for them to grow up!
Monday, March 11, 2013
'But one thing is necessary'
The verse in the title is from Luke 10 and the story of Mary and Martha. Martha is rushing around trying to be a good hostess for Jesus who is visiting their home and Mary is just sitting listening to Jesus. When Martha demands that Jesus make Mary help her, Jesus tells her that she shouldn't worry about so many things but that only one thing is necessary, ie - Mary has found that one thing in listening and spending time with Jesus.
This story was preached by a visiting speaker at our church yesterday. It came at such a good time for me; definitely God at work there! I have been having a tough time the last week. Without going into too much detail, I have been struggling to keep perspective when struggling with the pressures of 2 children and feeling like I can't cope. It's been very emotional and it took me a while to admit I needed support but I feel more positive now after talking to a few people.
This verse has reminded me that a lot of the things I worry about don't matter. It doesn't matter if I have to abandon dinner and it's not ready when J gets home. It doesn't matter if the laundry basket is constantly full. It doesn't matter if the thank you cards are a bit late in being written. It doesn't matter if Chloe acts up a bit before bed. It doesn't matter if I constantly feed Livia to get her to stop crying.
My health visitor came round when I was having a particularly hard day and was SO helpful. She reminded me that my children are people - they cannot be controlled, will never be perfect and I shouldn't measure how 'successful' I am as a mother on how the day has gone. This tied in with the preach yesterday; the only thing that matters is God's grace. We cannot win salvation through works. I will not be a good mother by my own efforts but God working through me.
Please God help me to remember you and walk with you throughout the day, especially when I am losing perspective. Thank you that you go before me and are protecting my whole family. Help me to have grace for myself, my husband and my children.
This story was preached by a visiting speaker at our church yesterday. It came at such a good time for me; definitely God at work there! I have been having a tough time the last week. Without going into too much detail, I have been struggling to keep perspective when struggling with the pressures of 2 children and feeling like I can't cope. It's been very emotional and it took me a while to admit I needed support but I feel more positive now after talking to a few people.
This verse has reminded me that a lot of the things I worry about don't matter. It doesn't matter if I have to abandon dinner and it's not ready when J gets home. It doesn't matter if the laundry basket is constantly full. It doesn't matter if the thank you cards are a bit late in being written. It doesn't matter if Chloe acts up a bit before bed. It doesn't matter if I constantly feed Livia to get her to stop crying.
My health visitor came round when I was having a particularly hard day and was SO helpful. She reminded me that my children are people - they cannot be controlled, will never be perfect and I shouldn't measure how 'successful' I am as a mother on how the day has gone. This tied in with the preach yesterday; the only thing that matters is God's grace. We cannot win salvation through works. I will not be a good mother by my own efforts but God working through me.
Please God help me to remember you and walk with you throughout the day, especially when I am losing perspective. Thank you that you go before me and are protecting my whole family. Help me to have grace for myself, my husband and my children.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)