We have probably all been there. A sweet grandmother looks longingly at our children squeezed into the cart at the grocery store and utters words similar to these: “Enjoy these moments. Time goes by so fast.”
And though we appreciate her sentiment, there’s another part of us that wonders…How can we enjoy these moments full of tantrums, middle-of-the-night feedings, hours of crying, and more diapers than we can count?
How can we enjoy these moments that are just plain hard?
I have been there (more times than I care to admit). I have been the mom wishing for the next phase of parenting…wishing away the newborn stage so I could just sleep through the night…then wishing away toddlerhood so my schedule could no longer hinge on the nap of my child.
I have been the mom struggling to survive the day.
But now, as my oldest prepares to enter kindergarden, I’m starting to understand a little bit more what those grandmothers mean. Time really does fly, and these moments (though hard right now) really do pass quickly.
I’ve heard it said that though the days are long, the years are short. And it’s true.
Here are a few tips I’ve found to help me enjoy the moments.
How Moms Can Enjoy the Moments (even the hard ones):
1. Choose Gratitude.
I am the face of miscarriage and secondary infertility. My husband and I have one biological child, one adopted child, and four babies in heaven.
Now that I have gone through these struggles, I understand something: The things I complain about with my children…someone else is longing for.
So even on the hard days, choose to be thankful for the children you have. Choose gratitude, and your feelings will follow.
2. Slow down.
Sometimes, our days are hard because we are too busy. Because our children are tired. Because we are stressed. Because we haven’t had time to just be. Slow down. Sit on the couch with your preschooler and read a book. Sit on the floor with your baby. Take some items off of your to-do list. The less stressed you are, the happier you will be.
3. Get out.
When we’re stuck in the middle of a hard day, it’s helpful at times to just get out of the house. Change your scenery. Switch up your routine. Sometimes, the change of atmosphere is enough to change the moods of those in your home.
4. Start your day well.
I have noticed a huge difference in how my days go when I get up before my children and take time for myself. I’m a much more pleasant mom when I have had time for my Bible study in the morning. I try to get up at least one hour before my kids do.
Granted, sometimes this isn’t possible (like when they get up at 5:30 AM). But on days when it is, this helps tremendously.
5. Remember, these moments won’t last forever.
I know it feels like you will never sleep all night again. I know it feels like your child will never give you a moment to yourself. But I promise, they will. And some day, you will long for your child to want you with him all the time again. Someday, you will miss the middle-of-the-night snuggles with your newborn.
I loved the final episode of The Office, when Andy said these words: “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.”
Moms, these days-these hard, beautiful days-are our good old days.
Hang in there, because believe me, when your child gets ready for kindergarten, you will be wondering where the days went.
To celebrate YOU, Mom, I am giving away 1 copy of my new parenting devotional, Searching for Sanity, each week leading up to Mother’s Day.
You can enter this week’s giveaway using the Rafflecopter form below. Next week, head on over to my personal blog, www.lindsey-bell.com to see where to enter the next giveaway!
Let’s Talk: What helps you enjoy the hard moments of motherhood?
HAS THIS MINISTERED TO YOU? IF SO, WOULD YOU SHARE THE LOVE BY SHARING IT?
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REGISTER NOW for the
2014 M.O.M. Conference ~ BETTER TOGETHER
July 31st – August 2nd
Jacksonville, Florida at Trinity Baptist Church
Registration Information, Location, List of Breakout Sessions, Descriptions of Workshops, Conference Speaking Team, Better Together Conference Flyer, Better Together Bulletin Insert (Full Color), Better Together Bulletin Insert (Black & White), Better Together Conference Cards (Postcard Size)
Lindsey Bell is the author of Unbeaten and of Searching for Sanity. She’s also a stay-at-home mother of two, minister’s wife, avid reader, and chocolate lover. You can find Lindsey online at her website: www.lindseymbell.com.
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