Looking back 31 years to when I first became a mother, there are quite a few things I wish I had known as a young mom! Sometimes young moms just need an “old mom” to come along side of them with some advice and encouragement!
As a mom of eight kids, and my youngest now being 19, I often find myself looking back on my earlier days of parenting. There were some hard days, and I’m glad for the older moms who helped me, encouraged me, and taught me!
Here are some things I wish I had known as a young mom:
1. Being a mom isn’t as easy as it may look.
Before having kids, it’s easy to think that you will “never do this”, or that your kids will never act a certain way. I found out rather quickly that I didn’t know as much as I thought I did about raising kids!
I didn’t realize that there are many variables, and that each child is different.
It takes wisdom from God to know what to do in each situation, and with each child. Fortunately, we have a God who invites us to come to Him for wisdom!
2. Being faithful is more important than the “results” you may or may not see.
It will often seem like all your teaching and training you’re doing isn’t accomplishing anything.
It took me awhile to realize that God called me to just be faithful in my parenting, while leaving the results with Him. I found that He blessed my faithfulness in due time.
Sometimes I didn’t see the results of character training till the kids were in their teens.
Remember the promise that we will reap in due season, if we don’t faint. (Galatians 6:9)
When you’re weary and discouraged, don’t quit. Remember the harvest will come.
3. What works for one child, may not work for the next one.
Our kids are all unique, and we need to train them in the way they should go — not the way their brother or sister should go.
Certain standards don’t change, such as kindness, obedience, and respect. However, these things may be harder to achieve with one child than another. I’m so glad that God offers us wisdom for our parenting, and doesn’t leave us to figure it out on our own.
4. Enjoy the stage you are in.
It’s easy to get weary as a mom, and start wishing the time away.
“I can’t wait till they can walk; I can’t wait till they start to talk”, etc.
Don’t allow yourself to focus so much on the next milestone that you miss the present moments.
5. Comparison will steal your joy.
As young moms, it’s SO easy to look at what other moms are doing, what works for them, and how their kids are responding. What we need to remember is that God calls each of us to different things in our homes and families. We need to seek His wisdom for our family, than confidently follow His leading.
6. When I pray, God does things in the heart of my children that I cannot do.
In our parenting, ,we should work as though it all depends on us, but pray as though it all depends on God. God can do a work in our kids hearts, using the Scripture teaching and training we have done to bring conviction.
If God can change the heart of a king, He can change the heart of our child.
If you only change ONE thing in your parenting, let it be that you start praying more for your kids!
Parenting is a process whereby God grows us, and teaches us as we depend on Him. I’m so glad for the things He has taught me over the years.
What are some things you have learned through your parenting?
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