Hope for Parents who Pretty Much HATE BEDTIME and Other Stressful Parenting Moments

I love how the Gospel of Luke describes Mary taking in all the craziness around Jesus’ birth–the struggle to find a place to give birth, placing God’s one and only Son in a manger for his bed, the smell of the stable, the sounds of the animals all around her, friendly shepherds, mysterious Magi, visitors coming near and far, angels singing, and the greatness of God in the flesh appearing as a little baby wrapped in simple swaddling clothes.  Luke 2:19 says,

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” 

Wow.

Oh, how I want to treasure every part of this hectic child-rearing season and think about these moments with gladness and thankfulness in my heart, like Mary did.  That is my prayer.  

Yet, in the midst of the mess, most of us–myself included–are prone to frustration and disappointment.  We can’t let these feelings get the best of us, or we’ll end up giving the worst of ourselves to our families.  None of us want that.  Keep talking to your spouse.  Keep trying new approaches to get your kid’s attention.  And, most of all, keep praying!

When we choose to press on, we will find a solution to the problem that doesn’t make us want to punch a hole in the wall or crawl in the closet to have a good cry.  We can do this, and it will get better…or at least, our kids will get older.  Sniff.  But, we must push through without wishing the days away and remembering that each day with our kids is something to be treasured–because it is.

Thank you for reading, responding, and sharing.  Be blessed!