"A mother has far greater influence on her children than anyone else, and she must realize that every word she speaks, every act, every response, her attitude, even her appearance and manner of dress affect the lives of her children and the whole family. It is while the child is in the home that he gains from his mother the attitudes, hopes and beliefs that will determine the kind of life he will live and contribution he will make to society." N. Eldon Tanner
I love this quote, and think of it often, as I attempt to be the best mother I can to the beautiful children that I have been allowed to raise! I often find myself on my knees, pleading with the Lord for strength and inspiration as I feel inadequate for the role. I think it is the adversary that wants mothers to feel like they are failing! He wants us to compare ourselves to others and to feel less accomplished in the home! The truth is that their is No "right" or "wrong" way to parent, in fact, there is not the "best" or "better" way. As long as we are Loving Our Children, Unconditionally, TEACHING and LIVING Christ like attributes, and doing our BEST...that is PERFECT! I believe the Lord wants us to rejoice in our opportunity to mother...and to help each other along the way! This is one of the main reasons I blog....to pass on what works for me! I know I am not fancy or perfect....and I don't try to be. I just try to be ME! I also really appreciate all the great information and ideas that I get from other blogs!
Today I was hoping to have each of you comment and leave a "mother" tip that has blessed your home!
My tip:
I always try to be at the door when the kids get home from school! It seems that the older they get the more they need to know I am there! At this moment it seems that I am able to sense how the entire day was for them. Sometime they want to share experiences....But they love to know we are there. There are some situations that do not allow the mother to greet the child, if this is the case, I would try and come up with an alternative idea! Maybe, if they go to a sitters house after school, send them with a small snack, and a note from you! So after their long day, you are the first message they get, and they can refuel with your love!
okay I have one more!
Bed time is when my girls seem to want to talk! It is often the hardest time for me, because I am tired and I have many smaller children who need me. I have found that if I pass on this opportunity to listen, then I miss the stories that they want to share.
I can't wait to hear your ideas...they will bless my home!
I love this quote, and think of it often, as I attempt to be the best mother I can to the beautiful children that I have been allowed to raise! I often find myself on my knees, pleading with the Lord for strength and inspiration as I feel inadequate for the role. I think it is the adversary that wants mothers to feel like they are failing! He wants us to compare ourselves to others and to feel less accomplished in the home! The truth is that their is No "right" or "wrong" way to parent, in fact, there is not the "best" or "better" way. As long as we are Loving Our Children, Unconditionally, TEACHING and LIVING Christ like attributes, and doing our BEST...that is PERFECT! I believe the Lord wants us to rejoice in our opportunity to mother...and to help each other along the way! This is one of the main reasons I blog....to pass on what works for me! I know I am not fancy or perfect....and I don't try to be. I just try to be ME! I also really appreciate all the great information and ideas that I get from other blogs!
Today I was hoping to have each of you comment and leave a "mother" tip that has blessed your home!
My tip:
I always try to be at the door when the kids get home from school! It seems that the older they get the more they need to know I am there! At this moment it seems that I am able to sense how the entire day was for them. Sometime they want to share experiences....But they love to know we are there. There are some situations that do not allow the mother to greet the child, if this is the case, I would try and come up with an alternative idea! Maybe, if they go to a sitters house after school, send them with a small snack, and a note from you! So after their long day, you are the first message they get, and they can refuel with your love!
okay I have one more!
Bed time is when my girls seem to want to talk! It is often the hardest time for me, because I am tired and I have many smaller children who need me. I have found that if I pass on this opportunity to listen, then I miss the stories that they want to share.
I can't wait to hear your ideas...they will bless my home!
8 comments:
Oooh, this is a good one. I can't wait to hear all the great tips!!
One tip I have is to use the car rides for talk time, best thing that happened today, worst thing, how are your friends, etc... Slug bug, sing and air guitar etc... I love laughing with my boys!!! Only rule - No headphones allowed
Thank you for sharing that quote and your thoughts! I too am looking forward to the tips.
One thing that I have just begun is taking my girls with me for my morning runs,bike rides, or walks. The one on one time has been really great.
Yes! I have found that bedtime is the same way for McKenna... It always seems like the time when things "come out" & she wants to talk :) I have to admit that it does take extreme patience for me sometimes as I am exhausted too! I have to remind myself that being a good listener at these times is a huge trust-builder! I want to be the one she comes to w/ big questions & concerns! One great thing I have started is a notebook that McKenna & I use to write messages back and forth to each other.. Any notebook will do- you can write about anything! I like to write to encourage her or let her know how proud I am of her or just to let her know how special she is and that I see God doing great things in her life! One of her love languages is words of affirmation so this is a great to express these things to her. Also I find that I am better at writing these things than I am at saying them sometimes! She can either respond to what I have written or write about something totally different- either way it's great. And when the notebook is full you can keep it to look back at in a few years- precious!
What a wonderful and inspirational post! I have two tips! ONE: Search endlessly for simple and meaningful ways to create joyful and happy memories. MAKE extraordinary-silly-wonderful events JUST because! Take what THEY love and make a production out of it!!! :):) Our kids may not remember the details of our special times, BUT they will remember how we made them FEEL. and TWO: Model self care. Take time to refresh and destress!! xoxoxoxoxo-- thanks for this post! It's a lovely reminder that we have an AWESOME and IMPORTANT job!
Sherri,
Thank you for your post. It was just what I needed, and just how I feel. I know I can always try harder and I wonder when I will ever get it right but it's true, remembering to love them is the most important thing we can do.
My tip: don't yell back, just make them laugh. When my kids are yelling or upset I try to find something to make them laugh. It usually works and then I didn't lose my temper and they almost immediately say sorry for their outburst.
Thanks again!
Oh, this quote scares me. It's a lot to live up to... My tip is to play with your child. I don't think Crumpet cares if I cook or clean or teach him anything, but if I lay on the floor and play Legos, it means the world to him.
Okay first I want to tell you what an awesome picture of Dad and your kids...I think Dad looks great!
and second, wow talk about an amazing quote, and thank you all for your tips! I actually wasn't going to comment because I can't think of a good tip right now, but I sure do love all of yours ;)
Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments! I am so excited to apply them to my home life! =)
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