Category: Parenting

Posted on

Yes, Mommy Makes Messes, Too.

A few weeks ago, I found myself pressed for time. I had been cleaning the house and lost track of time. It was almost time for Wednesday night Bible study and dinner wasn’t even thought of. I rushed into the kitchen to see what I could prepare before the baby awoke. Spaghetti it is! I reached for a package of noodles, not realizing it was already opened, and watched as the majority of pasta fell to the floor. Who knew that pasta falling to the floor could be so loud?! I stood there for a moment trying to decide my next move. Should I toss it or rinse it? It was at that moment my toddler ran over to see what had happened. She stood there looking at the spilled pasta with a look of shock. “Mommy made a mess?” “Yes, baby. Mommy made a mess,” I said with a sigh.

It was the look on her face as she stared at that pasta covering the floor and the surprise in her voice that got me thinking. This was the first time she noticed that mommy makes messes, too. Every day, it seems, I get on to her for spilling food, leaving toys and clothes on the floor, or generally not picking up after herself. Training starts young, right?! So I bent down and started cleaning up my mess.

I try to instill in my daughter the necessity of fixing messes. She doesn’t get in trouble for making a mess. We all make messes. Messes are inevitable. She’s just not allowed to leave it there. I want her to know that messes can be tended to, corrected, repaired, or made better. Depending on the type of mess, she may need help. I tell her to always let me know when something happens and she needs my help. Never to hide something from me, but to be honest. If she lets me know the moment a problem occurs, she will not get in trouble, no matter what it is.

You see, life can be messy. She doesn’t know it yet, but mommy has made lots of messes in the past: a mess in relationships; a mess in goals; a mess in life choices; and even a mess in parenting. A mess doesn’t have to remain a mess. It may even take some time to clean up. The mess may even need the help of another, through counseling or a listening ear, to make it all better. We just can’t leave our messes there, even if all we can do is sweep it up and toss it away.

So yes, baby girl, mommy makes messes, too. Thank you for offering to help clean it up and make my stressful day a little brighter. We didn’t leave it there!

Posted on

When Super Mommy Prays

I tucked her into bed. Her little head tilted back into her pillow. Mouth slightly open. I watched as her chest rose and fell with each soft breath. I gently pushed back a wisp of hair and softly ran my fingers along her temple.

She played hard today. Running and laughing through the yard. Jumping on the trampoline with the glee of a toddler. I smiled at the thought of her bright, sparkling eyes and infectious laugh. I peered across the room into the crib. My infant son lay peacefully sleeping. He, too, had an eventful day of smiling and cooing. 

I looked towards the ceiling and closed my eyes. My lips moved to form words and failed. So, my heart stepped in to offer this prayer:

“Lord, watch over my babies. Keep them safe through the night. I may not have made all the right decisions today. I may have been a little too stern at times. I did have to apologize a few times for misunderstandings and hurt feelings, but you know this mother’s heart. Help me to guide them, teach them, and protect them. Give me grace and, yes, I need patience. I love them so very much and must do right by them. So please help me. You know what I need and I wholeheartedly accept it!”

I am my children’s greatest advocate. I am their encourager. Teacher. Protector. Smile generator. Mine is the first face they see every morning and the last before bed. They learn my rules and know my expectations. At the end of the day, I want them to hear and know my prayers. 

My daughter calls me super mommy. I want her to know that even super mommies need help sometimes. In her little eyes, I can do it all. I know I can’t do it all, but I won’t be passive in what I can do. There’s evil out there past the safety of our home’s walls. No, I can’t be passive. I will not be scared to confront the forces that reach for children. I’m a veteran to spiritual warfare. I will not let my guard down. 

I kissed her cheek before pulling the blankets around her shoulders. A smile gently tugged at the corners of my mouth as I scanned the room one last time before turning off the bedside lamp. I glanced again into the crib, adjusted the pacifier and tiptoed gingerly to the doorway. Sleep well my babies. Super mommy will see you again in the morning. Be ready for more giggles and cooing. This mommy will rest well, too. She has help and she is not scared.