Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Parents = Children

Being a parent is tough. And the longer I'm a mom, the truer that seems. Isn't it funny how we used to have all the answers...

I was never a rebel/rule breaker (at least in my mind!). I can remember being a teenager, watching the "bad" kids run throughout the church after the service and thinking to myself that my children would never behave that way. HA!! Let me tell you - I've been humbled in so many ways since giving birth to our little adventurer. The child who never really seemed like an infant to me. He was causing trouble from the minute he was born, grabbing at the doctor and just generally letting the world that he would be doing things on his terms. Never slept much, as he was too busy planning his next escapade. Now child #2 has been a bit "easier," but we deal with a lot more attitude issues with her.

The more I observe parent-child interactions, the more convinced I become that nature is definitely the heavier force in the nature vs. nurture debate. Yep, their little personalities are formed early and their sin nature is very apparent. I really have to watch my tongue around other moms, particularly those who tell me all about the program they follow with their little angels - who were sleeping through the night at four weeks and have never willfully disobeyed. Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back! Now I do appreciate advice from others, and I know their are principles in child-rearing, but I'm also convinced that there isn't a single thing that will work with all children. I'm not making excuses here; we as parents have a huge responsbility to our children, and we need to find out what DOES work with each of them...

My prayer life has exploded since having children, as I seek wisdom and patience. I pray for their characters. I pray for their futures. I pray for their friends' futures. I pray for my friends who are also down in the parenting trenches. And I thank the Lord for entrusting us with these two precious gifts.

But in the meantime, I have renamed the children. Now introducing:

Birth and Control

3 comments:

Jacki Marie said...

I thought it was parents = children. at least that's the way it worked over here. tee hee...

Trish D said...

D'oh! Yep, that's what I meant to write, and it's now been corrected :)

In Pursuit of His Call said...

Amen!