4 Things I Learned About Motherhood
♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ – ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣
Thanks for joining us today!
Welcome to the 6th installment in the Embattled Spirit series:
What I Wish I’d known . . .
Read the first message HERE
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WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN ABOUT
. . .way back when. . .
1) Take Your Responsibility Seriously
A leader of the next generation is lying in your crib.
Feed him well, physically & mentally (no junk/no TV).
Love him unconditionally (punish his behavior, cherish his identity).
Discipline him consistently (teaching first-time obedience will save his life and your sanity).
My children thrive when encouraged. My children wither when shamed.
My child wants me to discipline him justly, but he won’t appreciate it until he reaches age 30.
2) Don’t take yourself too seriously
You will make mistakes. That’s why God shows us mercy.
Join a trusty life group. Let them read your emotional thermometer and encourage you.
Take regular breaks, time away for sanity’s sake.
Laugh hardily and cry hard – emotional release is healthy; repressing hurts creates a volcano of anger.
My children and I share our humanness.
I can teach them to manage emotions healthily,
even if I’m still in the learning process.
3) Follow your gut
God gave you specifically the unique ability to understand your child’s emotional and psychological needs.
Avoid reacting rashly to other peoples’ criticisms or absurd suggestions. Step back and think through the consequences–both good and bad. And then respond politely, confidently and intelligently. Your child is learning social skills from observing you.
I am NOT my child’s friend; he is my mission, my assignment.
I’ll ask God for wisdom; He’s got an abundance.
4) Listen to them – never brush a child off
Read between the lines; they won’t yet have the advanced thought-processing ability or language to explain exactly what’s going on. Draw their deeper emotions out gently and humbly.
Explore a troubling situation with her, never for her—even if it’s just spilt milk. Validate her feelings, never ridicule or berate. Keep asking “Why” or “What do you believe will happen if…” Help her gets to the core issue—fear, shame, grief, hurt, frustration.
Raising wise thinkers takes MUCH time. It’s messy but worth my effort.
Rewarding. Relationship building. Respect is earned.
IF I listen to her when she’s young, she’ll listen to me when she’s older.
The Way of the Embattled Spirit
P.S. Young children often respond to the suggestion in your words rather than the intent of your words.
“Come on Mary, let’s get out of the stream before you end up taking a bath.”
Mary’s eyes light up, and she sits on the streambed and takes a bath.
SUGGESTED PARENTING RESOURCES: Anything by Dr. James Dobson and/or Kevin Leman
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