PF- so I don’t think it’s a coincidence that today is Feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne- the parents of Our Lady and of course Jesus’ grandparents! Ask for their intercession- I will also keep you in prayer. You mention carrying this cross - I don’t think it’s something you consciously just pick up and do. It just happens because you are obviously a Christian woman- doing your best to follow Christ. It’s not necessarily about your “ability”. (Applies to all of us). But more that Christ takes what we have - and the weaker and bigger struggle we have the better... and He helps us. I’m the dad of 4 ( mostly raised- youngest is 20) and “Pop” to 5 grandkids who my wife abs I help watch each day. Btw - 5 under 4 years old. My house is insane. But they see love, they hear prayers, and they are learning on how to act. We have to apply discipline at times and thank goodness my wife has patience of Job! But it will get better. And I can tell you from experience... the teen years and even young adult years are the ones that at least for me were hardest b/c these were the times of real rebellion and times when I saw my kids hearts broken- and that was tougher than when they were younger. Hang in there. Jesus and His Mom ( and Grannie) see what you are doing. They love you for it. And as John suggested, see if you can get some “me” time. Peace
PF, We homeschooled our children for 20 years. I've read the above, can empathize, but I'm a guy. So I showed this to my wife, who has promised to write up a response sometime today. The only consolation I can add is that my children hold Geralyn in the highest esteem. Rachel, whose blog you visited, and Therese, have both willingly assumed this mantel because in this tumultuous and decadent world, the direct involvement of parents in the education process is so essential. Our daughter-in-law, Michelle, is in the same boat. Husbands can help, but when it comes to schooling, Moms are the power behind the throne! For you faithful Catholic parents out there who did not choose, or know enough to evaluate this route, I am not judging you at all. The ways of the Lord are mysterious; it was a difficult and jarring experience our oldest had in Catholic 6th grade, that had us consider homeschooling him in 1996, in the first place. Little did we know where it would lead us. Our Lady Seat of Wisdom and faithful Joseph, pray for us!
I have absolute respect for mothers. A lady and her mother-in-law, restaurant owners, offered all women a free piece of cake the week of Mother's Day. I politely refused (and I never refuse cake otherwise). That cake was for mothers, and I wouldn't take from a mother who deserved that delicious square of homemade cake. And also flowers handed out on Mother's Day at church. "No, thank you; I can't." And I'd move on.
A good idea if you have too many toys is to do a kind of rotation system where you leave out only a small number of toys and put the rest away out of sight for a few days or a week, and then rotate - put those toys away and take out a few others, and so on. My sister used to do this and it worked really well for her.
Disclaimer - I am not a parent. Sort of sounds like our (or at least mine) relationship with God. A battle of wills. Who will win? Hopefully this makes you smile
I have had 5 little ....cuties. And most are on their own except one. I sympathize so much with you and will keep you in my prayers. All I can say is that I’m enjoying my Pomeranian. This little dog is soooo much easier.
Your household sounds much like the one I grew up in. Five kids in five years. Three on bottles at the same time…diapers too. My mom was crazy busy like you. She was too busy to play with us, but that fell upon my dad who just loved it. We fought a lot and were loud too. My mom didn’t intervene unless someone was getting killed. Teenage years were hard on her as well, but she didn’t take it too seriously and for the most part, everyone survived….most importantly, she did pass on the faith quite well and we all have that today….and at the end of the day, that’s all that really matters. Try not to take it too seriously except for the faith part. You seem to have that down perfectly! My biggest regret was being too serious a mom and I wish I had just relaxed a bit and spent more time playing and having fun with my kids…. It went too fast and id give anything to have those days back. I dreamt of my boys as babies last night and I woke up sad to think it was just a dream. Live your dream today…it only comes once! Blessings!
If I had lots of money, I'd offer to cover the costs of homeschooling or private (conservative/traditional) schooling for as many couples as possible, for the duration of their childrens' education; I mean I'd willingly sacrifice millions of $$$ to that end. But alas...
Makes me very sad they are over. My only real joy in life. I even knew back when they were little that I would look back and ask, where did time go…I tried hard to be with them all of the time….but time stands still for no one…..all you have left are memories. In heaven we will never feel this sorrow. It gives you that hope that all good things will be restored. Makes you wonder why the good things in life go so fast, and the other stuff just never ends…. Oh well, at least we have the good memories. Thank you Jesus!
my wife owned and ran a wonderfully caring family day care for 30 years and she has story after story on what little ones say and do. This was always one of my favorites…… Two little girls maybe 3 or 4 wanted to play with one doll. Now even though my wife’s day care was “secular” and took all denominations and races, she always infused our Christian beliefs. Prayers before meals, please and thank you and teaching the golden rules. And taught (or tried ) to teach about sharing. So these two little girls have their dilemma- only one doll. First girl says to the other one who had the doll that “sharing is caring”. The other one is not too impressed or moved. So she says it again , “sharing is caring”. But, same response from the one who has the doll…no dice on sharing. So, the first one tries one more time, “ sharing is caring” ..pauses for a moment and then adds “ and if you don’t, I’m gonna poke your eyes out”. . Gotta love kids.
