Monday, August 6, 2007

I would NEVER. . .

You know how, before you had kids, you would say things like "I would never let my kids . . ." I painted parasols at a theme park for 5 summers throughout my college years, and I thought those thoughts MANY times.

I would NEVER buy my child something if he/she was throwing such a fit.

I would NEVER let my child talk to me that way.

I would NEVER let my child leave the house dressed in mismatched clothing!

Oh how God humbles us with time and children. I once heard a mother of 4 girls say, that even after having 3 kids, she was judgemental of other moms. She said that her first 3 kids were all mild-mannered, easy going kids. She thought they were this way because of her superior parenting skills. She said that she would see other mom's struggling in the grocery store or in church with their children and think, "They need to discipline that child more." Then, she said, that God gave her #4. A strong willed, highly spirited, little ball of fire. She realized then, that yes, parenting does matter of course, but that when you have a truly STRONG WILLED child, it's a whole different ball game.

I loved her for telling me that story. It makes me understand the "other" moms out there. The ones that don't have a strong willed child. It makes me understand that it's nearly impossible for someone to understand what it's like to parent one of these bright, unpredictable, witty, and stubborn children, unless they have one of their own. It gives me a forgiving spirit (most of the time) when they make ignorant comments or give me a "look." I do have a couple of good friends, who don't have strong willed children, that are capable of understanding this. I thank God for you, because you are not judgemental, and you truly have a spirit of gentleness and kindness with my child.

Another "I would never . . "

"I would never let my kids watch that annoying purple dinosaur!"

The girls just finished watching Barney!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

haha that's so funny about them watching barney! so everytime i get on your blog and the chris tomlin song comes on, it totally freaks me out cause i'm always like, "where is that music coming from???" duh lauren! it just came on my work computer and it was really loud...ooooops. but no big deal. kinda funny actually. ok love you!
lauren

Pam said...

Oh Shelley~ I was just telling Dawn this morning how I thought I was a great parent with my first two and then...#3. I truly believe God was, is, and will be teaching me so much through my strong-willed child. He is blast to have in the family and I will gladly learn any lesson God has for me. So cheers to all the imperfect parents out there with their little "fireballs"!

Janelle said...

We all have struggles...all of us. There are a lot that we can hide away from each other. Yours is not that. There is no hiding a strong-willed child. I would rather have my stuff out there than hidden away in secret. Even if it risks getting judged. I am sorry that you face that. We all need to be more sensitive to one another.

Janelle said...

OH, and I would NEVER take my kids to Wal-Mart without shoes.

Well, I can check that off my perfection list. We did this on vacation. I have become "that" mom! Such FREEDOM!

Celeste said...

I don't know how you do it Shelley! I totally agree with Janelle's post, and a woman at small group who's son was in E's preschool class only had wonderful things to say about her and had no idea that she was remotely strong willed. (Your mom was doing the personality thing). You do much better than most of us would!

boomama said...

Oh, the humility that comes with motherhood. :-) And I really do believe that we learn so much about our relationships with God through our challenges with our children.

And I would NEVER let my child throw a fit in a restaurant - until, of course, the first time he did just that. :-)

Janelle said...

BOOMAMA...queen of the blog has just been here! Shelley, you are awesome! :)

Alana said...

Shelley, I believe God gives us the children we have for a reason. And he picked you and J for Ellie. Just keep on keeping on, friend!

You are right about God teaching us humility through parenting. Remind me to tell you the grocery store story the next time I see you.

Alana said...

Oh, by the way...how COOL is it that Boomama was here?

michelle said...

I love how God uses our children to teach us about Him. I can remember making suggestions to parents when I was teaching before kids. I wonder what they thought. Becoming a parent changes the whole ball game. I've done my fair share of nevers. I guess I should learn to never say never.

Shelley said...

Thank You BooMama! I'm still dizzy from the excitement of seeing the BooMama's name on a comment!!! Thanks for your email too!