Mommy Moment...
Washing the floor had become quite a challenge. My bucket kept getting knocked over...again...and again...and again. Nine month Jenna was fascinated by my mop bucket. I like to scrub my floor on my hands and knees. Which put me at a disadvantage to this sweet babe. The first time, I laughed and set her out of the room with her toys. I went back to scrubbing. She returned and did it again. I returned her to her toys, and went back to my work. Once again she dumped my bucket.
Being mommy is tough, especially in today's world. Children are either devalued or held up as idols. In so many ways Mommies can't win. If you punish your kids, you may be considered abusive. If you don't, you are a terrible mom with bratty children. I watch my daughter, Danielle, who has 7 children, navigate disciplining her kids So well. I have never seen her spank a kid. I have never seen her speak a word to them in anger. She DOES expect obedience and respect. She does so by having clear rules and clear consequences. They are very obedient and extremely respectful. I wish I had been wise enough to be that kind of mommy. Most years I was.
When I went through the 'hard years' that I wrote about previously, I was filled with emotional battles and depression, I was not always that wise. When Jen kept dumping my bucket I saw humor, not a disobedient act. I put the rag away, poured the water out and played with my baby. The floor stayed dirty. The wisdom to see the difference between disobedient behavior and childish behavior will make your life so much easier.
Pray. Ask God to show you what the heart is behind the behavior. Jen's heart was joyfully childish in her actions. You can love the kid and not like a behavior.
Mommy, you got this.
