I’m choosing to celebrate the small wins these days.
Like the fact that my kids are wearing something besides sports attire for once.
Like the fact that we made it to our Easter bunny breakfast on time (6 minutes early actually).
Like the fact that we got to spend our morning with great friends.
We often focus on the negative things. I find myself doing that all the time.
“He didn’t eat his pancakes.”
“He refused to sit on the Easter bunnies lap.”
“He threw a tantrum over the number of eggs he was allowed to hunt.”
Over and over and over again, I have to remind myself to focus on the positive. It has taken me years, lots of direction from my hubby (the optimist) and tons of Jesus working in my heart to finally be able to say?
I try and let the negative roll off my shoulder.
I’m a way better mom when I remember to live my life that way. Because the reality is, kids are kids and sometimes it doesn’t matter how hard you try…they will be kids.
They will have 29 eggs in their basket when the rule was that they were only supposed to get 5 per child (per the restaurant rules).
They will throw a tantrum in the middle of a crowded room just because you wouldn’t order them chicken nuggets for breakfast.
They will defy you when you try to make them sit in their chair instead of stand.
And they will lose a shoe or two during their hunt for eggs. #priorities
It happens. Kids are not perfect.
And I’m ok knowing that their imperfect actions say nothing about me as a mother.
My hope, is that you give yourself grace in these things too.
Because life sure is too short to be worrying about all the things we are doing wrong.
Instead? Let’s spend our days being grateful that we are moms, showing compassion when our kids do wrong, loving them deeply when they need guidance and giving them the understanding that God created them to be uniquely who they are.
The way I look at it?
I have the rest of my life to get perfectly staged pictures where everyone is looking and smiling all at the same time. So, for now…I’m embracing the real moments.
Also noted, no matter daddy’s threats…the baby child is the most stubborn toddler on the planet. He doesn’t even fall for the “don’t you smile now, don’t do it…” reverse psychology.
And you know what?
That’s ok.
Because not even a perfect photo can bring me the happiness that these real life moments bring me.
“And I’m ok knowing that their imperfect actions say nothing about me as a mother” this is something that really hit home for me.. Thank you for speaking from the heart and reminding me, kids will be kids… #justwhatineededtohear
I looved this post! Thanks for sharing and Happy Easter. 🙂
So much truth here. I will take five thousand pictures trying to get the perfect one…only to get super frustrated. It isn’t the perfect pictures that make my heart smile…it is the crazy ones with silly faces or with someone laughing. The ones that true joy shines through. Thanks for the encouragement. Happy Easter. 🙂
I needed to hear this and will be sharing with a friend that needs to hear it too. A small win is still a win just the same. I definitely need to work on being more grateful and seeing the beauty in the little things that God blesses us with. I also love how you said their imperfect actions say nothing about you as a mother. No matter how hard we try, our kiddos will still make mistakes. We all will. We need to use those as teachable moments and practice forgiveness freely as God forgives us. Thank you for this!!
Oh yea, all about those small wins! There will never be a day we win it all so I am always taking what I get. Your boys look great in their cute clothes!