Mommy Moment...
I see young moms in the stores. They are frazzled and not really engaged with their littles. They are just trying to "survive" the Christmas season. How much joy they miss! It breaks my heart.
Grocery shopping was our big outing. We shopped once a month. (Yes. It can be done!) We kept a running list. All the kids could add to it if they say we were low on something.
At times, the kids were I'm charge of meals, so they would add the needed ingredients for those meals. The first of the month would come, and we were ready! -
Keep in mind we homeschooled, so our days could be planned as needed. -
We would leave the house after breakfast. We all looked forward to our trip to Sam's. As tiny ones they sat in the cart. As they grew their responsibility and freedom increased. When they were old enough, I'd hand the items to them to place them in the cart. A bit older than that and you could walk beside the cart and get the needed items from the shelves, and hand them to the little one riding in the cart. Truly responsible ones (Haha- translated: big enough to push) were allowed to push the carts. We had fun! Truly! It was a marvelous time. If the weather and their behavior allowed, we would have a picnic after shopping. Sometimes we drove up the canyon above Loveland, sometimes we found a park close by.
They WANT to please. They WANT to be helpful. And, shopping can be a wonderful, bonding and teaching time.
I know you are stressed. I beg you not to add to the stress by being cross and disconnected.
Remove some of that burden by being intentional with your time.
Our young 3 will tell you I usually warned them, "You are homeschooled kids out during school time. Be a GOOD example."
It's Christmas Eve. May God be with you all! He loves you dearly! This world is a mess, and we have messy lives, but God wants to walk with you. He promises to do so. He promises to draw near to you if you draw near to Him. He promises to give you wisdom if you ask. He promises to live with you forever if you will turn and follow Him. He loves and adores you!! He loves you personally, deeply, and always will. He is just waiting for you to want to trust Him.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, sweet mommy friends!! May God's love, joy, hope and peace be with you!
Mommy, you got this!
