Having tantrums is part of being a toddler. Almost anything has potential to trigger a tantrum in a little one. When my kids were little, they had plenty of tantrums. There was rarely a day when someone wasn’t having a tantrum over something.
There were many days when I felt like banging my head on the floor right along with the fit thrower. However, I realized early on all this would do was make one more crying person. Mom losing her cool only made matters worse. Someone needed to maintain their composure, and it needed to be me.
Once I realized I needed to keep my cool when my little ones were losing theirs, I tried to figure out how to stay calm.
My favorite part of The Princess Bride occurs near the beginning.
As you wish.
“As you wish” = “I love you.”
Do you ever question someone’s love when they continue to repeat behaviors that disappoint you or hurt your feelings?
As you wish really is a beautiful way to say, “I love you.”
Jesus spoke to His followers and to us about the priority of love when it comes to obedience.
Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’
Our pastor gave an illustration a couple weeks ago that made me smile and write some notes on my bulletin. He painted the picture of parents who finally get some time to themselves — a weekend away or just an afternoon date. The first few hours are glorious with great conversation and laughter and then she glances into the backseat of the car to check on them and he takes the Disney CD out of the player and they exchange that look that says, “yeah, we kinda miss them.”
They drive us NUTS, but yet, we do begin to miss them when they’re not around.
I know it’s cliche, but it’s so true; a mom’s job is never done. It’s 24/7. Whether you’re working or stay-at-home doesn’t matter. Even if your not with your kiddos all the time, your mind is running crazy with all of your mommy thoughts. It’s exhausting! I know. This stay-at-home mama of 3 has been there. And I’m not ashamed to admit that anti-anxiety medication is just one tool that I use to manage it.
But another tool I’ve found helpful is simple positive thinking. At New Years I resolved to take simple steps to “Be the Best Mom” I can be in 2013.
“If I don’t have love, I am nothing.”1 Corinthians 13:2 NIRV
Without love, nothing? Really?
Sigh…
The chapter goes on to teach us what love is and what it is not — love is patient, kind, not rude, does not insist on its own way, is not irritable or resentful, or easily angered
Sigh...
These last few weeks I’ve struggled with my determined child. In the height of emotion and frustration, anger words I can never regain — were released. And my actions and my words were contrary to the “is and nots” of love defined by His Word, by His life.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11
The words stab my heart and I stand, dumbstruck, stuck in the moment. Trapped by the sharpness piercing to my very core. “You want to know what they think of you?” The words continue without pause for an answer, “Well I’ll tell you, they think you’re a Jesus Freak, and annoying.” I am left speechless. I read Ephesians, chapter six, just this morning, yet I find my heart racing and eyes filling.
It’s these moments that can tug on a mother’s heart until it burns. Yet when it comes to our children, I’ve learned it never stretches far enough to break. It may lose its shape for awhile, but mostly our hearts just grow to fit it all in.
And I see his bottom lip give way to a quiver. His long lashes flutter repeatedly due to the frustration. It takes all I have in me not to scoop his four year-old frame right up and pour on the kind of love that tickles and makes you giggle until you burst into hiccups.
