“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it,” (Proverbs 22:6).
Open enrollment is underway at local schools in my area, and it’s a crazy season for many moms.
No really. School choices literally make us crazy.
A few days ago I got a frantic text from a friend, asking how many days a week my daughter’s preschool meets. Turns out the only options in her town are either five days a week or full days, neither of which is ideal for her family. So naturally our conversation led to preschool costs and socialization needs and basically all things preschool. I’m talking a good half hour of texts bouncing back and forth. Hey, there’s a lot to consider when you’re looking at releasing your baby into his first big fat scary school environment. Right?
No?
Hmmm.
She wondered, too. Because after we dissected every possible pro and con of this preschool versus that one, she thanked me for empathizing and wrote, “I feel foolish talking about it to anyone else.”
Foolish. Isn’t that sad? As if taking our parenting role seriously is something to hide. I suspect a lot of moms feel that way, including me, because other people and media and modern-day philosophies—even well-meaning veteran moms who’ve been there, done that and lived to see it all in perspective—tell us to.
Yes, sure, we don’t need to freak out over every little skinned knee or math assignment. But we shouldn’t neglect them, either.
Because God doesn’t tell us to do the best we can for our kids once they’re old enough to shave or go to college or buy a car. He tells us to nurture them every step of the way, so that when they are old, they will not turn from him. If you’re in the stage of babies or toddlers or school-age kids, then God isn’t asking you to guide your children through major decisions like college or marriage right now. He’s asking you to choose a preschool. Or a minivan. Or softball versus soccer. We ought to put loving, intentional, prayerful energy into all decisions, big and small, along this journey called their childhood.
Are you mulling over name-brand diapers versus store label? That matters.
Are potty training setbacks stressing you out? God cares, too.
Do your eyes leak just thinking about handing your child over to kindergarten, middle school or freshman year next fall? Every tear is valid and visible to God.
Whether you’re training your kids to walk, bike, spell or fly, your loving attention to the details of each stage makes a difference in their lives. And their lives are, essentially, your job. Because you’re a mom.
A good one.
So if freaking out over preschool choices—or anything else that fits the stage you’re in—makes you a crazy, foolish woman, then I say GREAT. You are crazy.
Crazy about your kids.
Blessings,
Becky
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