Raising Youngins

“Mama, I want to be just like you.”

Cue the “stop you in your tracks, mind racing to everything you’ve ever done wrong in your whole life, have I eaten a vegetable in the last day, when was my last mental cuss word, can she tell I’m speeding, why can’t having kids be easier,” moment.

You want to be just like me when I yell at you and your brother? No.

You want to be just like me when I look at my phone all evening as I lay on the couch? Natta.

You want to be just like me when I leave dishes in the sink because emptying the dishwasher is just too hard sometimes? No.

You want to be just like me when I grow visibly frustrated at the amount of times I need to clean up the house? Definitely not.

You want to be just like me when I wash the laundry, fold it and then leave it in the basket for days? Again with this laundry issue… goodness!

You want to be just like me when I speed down the interstate, or honestly any road? Absolutely not.

You want to be just like me when I eat an insane amount of spirals mac and cheese and let the spinach brown in the fridge? No.

You want to be just like me when I snap at you to clean your room because I JUST CLEANED IT? Nope.

Having kids is the most humbling thing I could have done for myself. The first time my daughter got out of the bath, shivering and said, “I’m so freaking cold.” My eyes widened and I thought I’m the worst mom ever. They watch your every move, take in your mannerisms, habits and words and then hit you with them when you’re least expecting it?! Not exactly what I signed up for, but I guess it came with the cuteness and overwhelming joy that accompanies kids. When she was little, I used to hear, “I am not doing this with you today.” …Or was that me?

In Bible study, we’re studying spiritual practices that may be uncommon to normal practices that come to mind. Breathe prayers, examen, slowing, sighing… I’ve been dialing in on slowing… s.l.o.w.i.n.g. Read that again slowly. Why? Because what else are you doing? We rush everywhere. I even walk fast, like really fast. I passed someone walking in the hallway at work the other day and he said, “Wow, you’re hustling.” And I plainly said, “Nope, this is me.” Since this comment and recent deep dive into slowing, I’ve been walking around our cul-de-sac with my kids. My son will hold my hand until the end of time. Meanwhile, my daughter is zig-zagging alongside us, picking up sticks, talking about God making the trees and asking me how high I think I could jump (“20 feet, easy”). My son wants a stick bigger than the last one. Thank you toddler muscles for slowing me down even more.

Hurrying is the opposite of loving. Snapping, like physically snapping my fingers, at my daughter is not loving. Pushing my kids out the door every morning is not loving. That’s not how I want them to leave me in the morning – thinking mom’s so ready to get to work, we gear into cheetah speed and get out of her way.

Many examples of slowing involve moving into the long lane at the grocery store, taking in your surroundings. Observing your world. Even dressing or bathing slowing because THERE’S NO REASON TO BE IN A RUSH ALL THE TIME. Worst of all the examples, driving in the right lane (yuck!).

“Mama, I want to be just like you.”

You want to be just like me when I read my Bible and let kids crawl all over me? YES!

You want to be just like me when I take a day off for a “girls’ day” with my baby? Uh huh!

You want to be just like me and play castles and dinosaurs with my kids? Yes.

You want to be just like me and say I’m sorry? Yes!

You want to be just like me when I take time to kiss booboos and give hugs? Yes.

You want to be just like me when I care for and encourage others? Of course!

You want to be just like me and work hard in everything I do? Yes.

You want to be just like me and marry a guy as great as your dad? Definitely the way to go!

Slowly love your kids. They’re only little for so long. They’re watching you. They’re waiting to see what you will do when… you name it. I want my kids to see me as loving – not hurrying, patient – not pushing, caring – not angry. Jesus took time and He was saving the world!

Lord, please help me be the best mom I can be. Help me love my children as the amazing gift that they are. There are hard days, but you are my strength. There are stressful days, but you are my wise savior. There are days when I don’t think I am going to make it, but Jesus is my hope. Guide my words to always be honoring to you. Guide my actions to always be positive and uplifting to others. Guide my routines and habits to always include you. God, I want to be just like you. Amen.