Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
I have had the pleasure of spending lots of time with my girls over the last couple of weeks. Ok- honestly, some of these times were not pleasurable at all, and were in fact quite the opposite! They seem to be growing and maturing at a faster rate than I can keep up with! My oldest is quickly moving past the days of wanting to play dolls with her younger sister-which leads to a lot of conflict in the house!
Not only do I see the relationship between my girls changing, I am recognizing the way we parent them must change as well. Change is hard. And painful.
I took my oldest daughter with me recently to run an errand. When I saw her walking in front of me, I hardly recognized my baby. She is becoming a beautiful young lady before my eyes. I find myself staring at her and searching for that “baby face” I once kissed and snuggled with. As we were shopping, I told her that “mommy” needed to pick up this and that. And then it happened…
She looked at me, rolled her eyes, and said –
“Mom, you don’t have to refer to yourself in the third person. I know who you are!”
I felt a pang inside of me.
I am no longer mommy. I am mom.
So why have I referred to myself in the third person for the past (almost) 11 years? I have done it since they were babies out of habit, and not once until this particular outing has either of them mentioned it. It does seem like a silly thing to still do after all these years. So, as I see my children maturing, I am learning to make some changes myself.
I pray that in their quest for independence, they will see how much we need to depend on our Savior. And that no matter what age they are- they will still need “Mommy” too.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-7
I can relate! ha ha
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Motherhood is quite a journey, isn’t it? Thanks for reading 🙂
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What words of truth you speak! I can definitely understand what you are feeling.
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It is bittersweet watching them go through all these stages… growing pains- for them and me!
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Yes that is so true. And someday you will be helping them as they go through those growing pains with their children.
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Yes, all mothers can relate! Nice post.
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Thanks for your comment 🙂
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Growing pains. Yes it affects adults too.
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