Parenting Pride Takes a Hit

They say pride goes before the fall...

well TIMMMMBERRRRR!!

I know I'm not the perfect parent, nor do I have the perfect kids.

I try to be honest and open about that fact.

and reading this article from Hands Free Mama 

reminded me of how much worse it is to always hold it in.

But parents, you know that feeling, 

when your kids are on a good track?

Good attitudes!

Manners a'plenty!

Helpful Hands!

Thankful Hearts!!

Oh mercy, aren't we lucky? 

*and maybe that secret pride...

"I think I got this parenting thing DOWN!"*

and then reality sets in:

 your standing in the line at Subway, giving a "treat" of sandwiches for lunch.

And your kids start to argue at the table...

you let them know (via "mom look" and "quiet wolf" hand signal) that they need to cool it.

You see the lady at the adjoining table looking their way (and yours).

Then they keep it up, so you go over for the warning "If this continues, we will not be getting sandwiches today" (thinking of COURSE they will obey now!)

then they don't. 

The threat of losing a round of thumb war has frustrated your youngest to the point of getting his hand ready to smack his brother. While his sister argues along.

And you have that split second

 (where like 20 things run through your mind)..

"O.K, they had their warnings, you know what you have to do."

"But...maybe if I just look the other way...I mean kids will be kids..right?"

"that lady is looking at you, you have to make your choice."

"it's gonna suck"

"Yeah..but here we go."

The worst does indeed happen.

Your oldest holds it together, while the other two scream like they have NEVER screamed before.

People turn to stare.

A LOT of people.

People you don't know, some that you do.

You. Just. Keep. Looking. Forward.

Because parenting isn't for sissy's!

And it sure isn't about making everyone happy, all the time, regardless of the circumstances!

*though there are times when that seems like a REALLY great plan!*

No, it's bigger than those moments. It's about taking those embarrassing, scarring, horrific moments..

and growing.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

We've come home, we've talked about it & cried about it. 

We've discussed the consequences.

This is a life lesson, folks. 

And it's under our belt.

  

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Let's try not to do this with each other!
Encourage, be honest, be open, be understanding.