Boy, did I have a day yesterday?
First … again, let me say, thank you for making my day. I had the best morning reading all your posts about lil’ (not really) ol’ me. I really did. It was the best part of my day.
But, it went downhill from there.
And, do you know I woke up yesterday morning thinking … “Don’t get you hopes up. Something crappy is going to happen today.” And I am generally a positive thinker. I dismissed this and went about my day.
Until, I lost my keys and almost paid the Pop-a-Lock people $75 to come and open up the door. It’s a long story, that involved tears and whining … but, in the end, I ended up finding them.
After that, I got a call from the girls’ school … trouble on the horizon from the oldest.
Seriously, as they get older, it just gets harder.
Basically, she got a detention this morning and created a lot of hurt feelings, even her teacher’s. But mostly, her daddy’s and mine.
This child just blurts out things without thinking how it will affect those around her, even the ones she loves. I love this child with all my heart.
Beau and I prayed a very hard prayer tonight …
“Lord, whatever it takes to turn our child’s heart toward you forever and always, do it.”
“Lord, make this child miserable when she is not following after You and living for You.”
That all sounds like she committed murder or something. No, it wasn’t that bad. Just typical kid stuff and trying-to-find-yourself-at-11-years-old stuff.
This parenting thing is hard.
So, I’m going to do a do-over birthday day tomorrow. Don’t worry … all your wishes have stuck. The do-over just applies to my day here in real life.
Parenting is hard. No doubt about it. And it will most likely get harder. When we took our oldest off to college, I was literally willing to just open the van door, kick him out, and keep on going.
But hang in there, girlfriend. It gets harder, but then it gets better.
Enjoy your do-over birthday!
Oh hang in there, hang tough and stay on your knees!! It does get harder, it becomes much more emotional rather than physical, but the good news is that it does, does get better!!! You will some times wonder where your sweet child went, but they will come back!! I have two on the “other side” now and it is wonderful. My oldest has even come back and thanked me for being so consistent with her!
Great quote someone told me once “I don’t want to be friends with my teenager, I want to be their friend when they are 30”
praying for you! Hope you have a wonderful do-over!
Praying for your babies and mine today…parenting is hard…think we’ll survive? 🙂
I didn’t get to comment on your video the other day but want to tell you I enjoyed it. I live on the east side of the Mississippi so maybe sometime we can get together with Rachel from N.O. I was too chicken to do a video but may give it a try next time around. I feel your pain with your daughter. My girl is 7 and I am constantly reminding her no one likes a mean girl. I have a 15 year old son who has never been any trouble – really!! and we really don’t believe he’s going to rebel too much even though he’s a teen and ready to drive. But my sweet little girl – she and her friends amaze me with what they say to each other. And these girls come from church going families. I love your prayer and will keep your family in mind as we pray for wisdom in raising up godly children.
Enjoy your do-over.
Happy Birthday do-over!
I wish I could figure out how to deal with pre-teen girl drama. It always seems like I make it worse. I know that was a difficult prayer to pray, but God will bless your obedience.
Now go celebrate!
When my kids were younger, I remember sobbing through a prayer of “Lord, if they will grow up to be lost, to never know you, please take them now.” Parenting is so hard!! Hang in there.
It’s tough, we are going through it right now with our 14 year old. Hang in there, right now my toe nails hurt from hanging on, because that is all that’s left…toe nails, the others….gone!
Thank you for sharing. That is such a prayer for your sweet girl.
Man, they grow up and we just want to hold 'em tighter. When what we really need to do is hand them over to Him. You got it right.
Love & Blessings.
Yikes… sorry you had a crummy day. Guess I know what I get to look forward to in about 9 years. I think boys are harder as little kids but I think the girls definitely get more difficult as they get older.
Mama Belle, I am praying for you and that little girl of yours. I have to tell you I am not looking forward to the tween and teen years, but I know that God has His hand on our children, and He’ll bring them through. I love your prayer that they would be miserable when they aren’t following Him…I’m going to start praying that over mine now.
What a hard thing to pray over your kids but so wise.
It’s dang hard isn’t it?
I can tell you love your daughter so much. It takes real love to pray the prayer you did. Tough love is such an admirable thing. Keep it up!
There are days that I just can’t wait till the boys are older and I am not tending to dependant little needs 24/7. Then a sneaking suspicion makes it’s way into my head that perhaps I should love the diapering, feeding, tantrum throwing, holding a diaper bag (with every thing but the kitchen sink in it),”why” questions – and all that good stuff – phase, because it’s very likely only going to get harder. *cringe*
It’s all so worth it. Being a mommy is an incredible thing. So glad God is helping us all as we muddle our way throguh it! 🙂
Happy do-over birthday!
Gosh girl. I feel like you and I are in the same boat on a couple of different things.
But let me tell you, I pray for conviction in my kids’ lives all.the.time. I constantly have to remind myself that I cannot be their Holy Spirit…but God does call us to pray for them…even when it’s really tough to do so.
God has given our children to us for a very short time. He has given us instructions in His Word as to how to raise them. We must be obedient to that. And you’re right…sometimes it is just so dang hard!
Praying for you my dear friend!!
I thought I was the only one struggling with this parenting thing… 🙂
I hope you have a great re-birthday. We share the same day of our birth, just thought you’d like to know. This is my first time reading your blog, but I’ll be back! Happy Birthday!
i love that prayer and hope you have for your sweet girl. i think it’s true for all of us! and as far as being a mommy? does it ever get easy?
Our 11 year old is giving us a fit now too. We just don’t know what to do.
Seriously, nothing, NO THING, has taught me more about how God loves us than loving my kids through tough times. Keep praying…keep praying.
Coming at you from the far side of “Teen Years: Just Make Them Go Away.”
(my kids are in their early 20’s now.)
Keep praying girl! It is all we have.
Hugs!
I really admire your tough love approach. It will pay off. These years are especially tough for both parents and kids. I will be praying for you! Have a great do-over birthday.
Tough it is but you are handling it the right way with prayer. That is how I developed my prayer life…getting married and having kids!:) Thank God we are not in it alone.
Been there, done that, with the kiddo…
Here’s hoping your “do-over” day is going much better!!
big hugs to you
Hope this day is much better for you, Mama Belle. We all have “those days.” And I can so remember going through things like this when my kids were little. Of course, the worry doesn’t end when they grow up…the problems just change!
But you’re so doing the right thing by taking it to God in prayer.
Have a blessed weekend!
I came here through Linda’s carnival. Iam still making my way around to all the videos… now that they’ve been up for 4 days. I started at the beginning and then restarted at the end. I just worked my way back to the linkys in the middle. I wonder what that says about me? LOL. It’s so nice to see you. This has been a blast.
Our mama’s hearts are so torn over all of our children’s indiscretions. Your prayers make ALL the difference. His grace is sufficient. Been there, done that and I’ve got the testimony. Blessings to you!
Awww…yeah it takes guts to pray a prayer like that but that’s what true love does. You’re an awesome mom for that alone. I hope the do-over is filled with lots of fun things.
XO
That’s a tough age. . . What a blessed child she is to have you praying for her like that! God will take her through the fire and refine her!
Um, the next time Beaut humiliates/honors you, could you please add me to the list of assailants?