Sitting in the church pew this morning, I prayed for more patience. As a mom, I think my patience is tested so many times during the day. Family and friends tell me that I display an enormous amount of patience when my kids are in an extra rambunctious mood. I can tell that my patience is wearing thin some days after so many years of parenting. I want to be better able to weather the daily stress that I'm feeling when my kids push my buttons one too many times.
I remember how my dear Dad complimented me on my patience when he watched me teaching new words or skills to the toddler sitting on my lap. At that time, I poured everything into making my little guy's day as full as possible. I wanted to be super mommy. As the years went on and more children entered the picture, I knew very quickly that I'm human with my strengths and faults. Trying to be the "perfect" mother is an unrealistic goal. Even after 12 years, I know that I definitely don't know how to handle all parenting situations perfectly. I probably never will. But hopefully, I can try to remember that creating the "mom" in me will always be a work in progress.
By the way, I came back from church feeling renewed and ready to display more patience. Within 20 minutes, I lost my patience when the kids decided to turn every cushion in the house into a sort of trampoline. I like that they want to have fun, but their little game was getting too dangerous. After a few attempts to get their attention in a firm and controlled manner, I needed to resort to letting a bit of my Irish temper out as I said, "Get off those cushions now!" I hate when I get to that point of the crazy screaming mom. Oh well, I guess I need to pray some more.
Patience is a virtue that needs constant refreshing for this mom of 4 lovely, at times wild, kids:)
20 comments:
I think patience needs refreshing for EVERY mom. It always makes me giggle inside when people tell me how impressed they are with how well I handle my kids because there are definitely times when I don't feel like I'm doing a good job and am NOT being patient. And I remember playing the cushion jumping game. And I also vaguely remember someone getting hurt while playing it.... Good luck!
I spotted you on my baby sisters blog. You are cool. I think you are terrific.
Just a random shout out from a stranger. hee hee
I read this outloud to my husband and son who were both sitting with my in the livingroom. After getting to the part where you lost your patients.... I said.. she Grant.. I'm not the only mom who loses it!! He said.. REALLY!!??
Hey Septembermom,
I remember hearing somewhere that if you pray for more patience, God will put you in situations that require it. Tests and trails only strengthen you so I believe that the daily situations you experience with your kids only helps you grow. From reading your posts, I think you have wonderful children and you are a great mom.
Oh I think you still had patience! Being firm was really for their own protection ... you were actually keeping them safe from harm. I think children need the limits set sometimes, and it often falls on Mom to do this.
How well I remember how many times my kids tested my patience!
Amen to this post. (:
No, really though. Amen.
I think it's wonderful that you want, and strive, to be a better mom. God knows we could all use help in that area. But don't forget that they need to learn some responsibility as well. We are so busy trying to be better ourselves, and make life more pleasing for our kids, that we forget the fundamentals that our children will need out there in the "real" world. When you say that you need to pray some more...maybe they need to respond to your request sooner! Because their boss is not going to care. Believe me, I know what you're feeling. What I learned is that I didn't necessarily do them any favors by trying to be a more tolerant mom. I swear I'm not judging. I have no place! God, we love our kids with more passion than we ever thought possible. We want their lives to be perfect. Hell, I want to be perfect! But perfection is not what awaits them out there.
I'm sending a great big hug to you!!!
A very wise Priest told me this just three months ago...patience is like a muscle...you need to keep using it and practice it to make it stronger!
Thanks for commenting on my blog...being a mom is always an adventure, hey? God's blessings to your beautiful family!
Mary
Mom of Six
Any mom that is patient all the time is probably drugged out of her mind! : )
I think this is the prayer of many mothers.
And I think all of us break down and yell once in a while. I know for me there are just some things my little one does that push my button! Reading your post makes me feel less alone in my motherhood struggles. Thanks for your post.
I can definitely relate to this as I am sure all mothers can. It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job parenting your children. There is no such thing as the "perfect mom". However, I am sure you come pretty close!
patience is always a goal for me! Patience.... definitely escapes me at times!
It can be an exercise in futility sometimes.
But....it can also be an exercise in fun as well.
Patience is a difficult thing when you're a mom. I try my best, but some days I do better than others.
Have a great week.
i also pray for patience. I can totally relate to that posting!
I rely on some breathing exercises when some inner string threatens to snap. I watch the windows for clouds and weather. I count to myself....
(obviously I need a lot of tricks here!)
Patience is a virtue that I just don't have!!
From reading your writing, you are most certainly a wonderful mom. I must admit to laughing aloud that you had left church refreshed but within 20 minutes lost it again. I think we can all relate to this. At least I can. But I think we constantly get better if we consistently try. I find that what I used to pray for I am less likely to do so today. There was also a time in my life as a teenager where I got tired of asking for forgiveness because I shot my mouth off.
With 12 children, I never heard my mother raise her voice and she never ever swore. But she was most certainly not perfect. She had an abundance of love, humility, intelligence, grace and fortitude. She also asked for forgiveness whenever necessary. Even when parents lose their tempers or are impatient, this does not erase the over all sense of love they so often give. This is not lost on kids. Please know this.
I think you're probably a super mom!
As moms, we are not perfect. You are a great mom. As long as you remember to do what you do in love, you will continue to be great. ;)
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