That didn’t mean it happened though, without my nagging direction. Some days I just longed for a tidy home.
Until it happened.
By the time it happens, it probably means the toys are outgrown. They’ve lost interest inplayingand exploringand want to listen to music in their rooms. The house is eerily clean.
Just like I occasionally fantasized about. And it is hard.
You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God’s fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts.
-Charles Spurgeon
Stay strong mom
Parents, if you still have messy kids? Give thanks.
I miss the sounds of block towers falling, and the shrieks of delight with each new discovery. Grimy fingers that grabbed my cheeks to say “I yuv you”.
Juice cups and dolls and even little Lego pieces under my feet. I’d like another day of that.
Because now, I could really appreciate it. Treasure it.
What can I say to an overwhelmed mother?
I thank God for reminding me every day when they were young that the moments were fleeting. I made a continual effort to enjoy those days. And I am thankful.
My girls are growing so fast. One drives and is embracing her future, the other is about to get a permit and will follow soon enough.
We don’t have time though to live in the past, or long for what we miss. They are still growing.
These days hold their own moments. And those little kids that loved you so much? They won’t grab your cheeks now, but they still want to be cuddled sometimes. Don’t let their size fool you.
The time spent building towers just to knock them down? They still want to be with you, play their favorite game now. Whatever it is, spend the time with them.
Teens have their own messes, and when I pick up the cups they’ve left behind for what feels like the 20th time? When I trip over their sneakers and gym bags in the dark?
If a complaint comes to mind, may God once again remind us to embrace thesemoments. For they too shall pass.
Kids grow up so fast
Then, maybe then, I can look back and miss it
Then I can wish for the days when…but not now. Today I am too busy playing when they’ll play.
Listening for shrieks of teen laughter, and paying attention when they share their jokes. Grabbing their faces and telling them “I yuv them”, and picking up those cups at night.
I could make them, but then- I’d be losing my time of remembering. Of gratitude for another day as a family of four. Home safe and healthy and happy in their beds.
Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work– C. S. Lewis
Mama, you are doing so much more than you know in the mundane and tedious monotony of parenting littles. You, sister, are a rock star.
Whether anyone seems to notice or not…I do.
May we not spend so much time in our mind’s eyes remembering when, that we are blind to what we can still see today. I might change that poem to fit parents whose kids are older (you can print if off here):
Parenting is tough work sometimes. If this encouraged you, share today with a friend, with a mom’s group.
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I may be the oddball here, but I learned to embrace the mess a long time ago. Don’t get me wrong, I do keep a tidy home, I do sweep, vacuum, and do the dishes on a daily basis, as well as weekly cleanup. But I don’t sweat or nag over the toys if they are scattered in the middle of the living room. If someone drops by and has a problem with it, they can leave. I have kids, we live in the house, they want to play. They don’t sit on the couch, under a glass bell all the time so I can have a presentable house. If they can’t handle it, they can leave.
Good for you! You have a wise outlook to enjoy the moments ♥ I wish I’d had more of that perspective, I drove myself ragged trying to do too much. I sure hope to encourage younger moms to let that pressure go a tiny bit. I’d still try and be tidy, still teach them to put their toys away, that sort of thing. But I wouldn’t lose sleep over the perceived failures
I really appreciate this, because I feel like everyone is always nagging me (not me personally, but you know, helpful blog posts, FB posts, etc) about how you can’t do stuff for your kids because you’re enabling them. And honestly, I’m not great at that. I expect a certain amount of self-sufficiency at home, but I still make Joe’s lunch every day, and (shhhh) I do his laundry. I did the same for the olders, and yet, here they are, mostly self-sufficient, paying their bills, figuring out college and jobs and stuff. So it all happens sooner or later, and there’s alot to be said for mothering while you can. Especially hugging. xo Kathleen
You’re gonna make me cry! I’m in the middle of the mess and the past couple of weeks, I’ve been growing weary of this phase. Thank you for the reminder; it’s refreshed my spirit. 🙂
Thank you for this post, it blessed my heart. I’m so blessed to have a toddler, but some days I forget to just enjoy the mess. Time goes by so quickly, I don’t want to miss a single minute of his little life but sometimes grown up responsibilities make me rush through my time with him and not treasure each moment.
LOVE! I have learned that with two kids under 3, I can expect to have a hot mess of a house for the next several years. I’m doing the best I can…but I have to get over it and let it happen!
That is the truth! You have your hands full! My kids were similar age differences, and it has been so fun over the years. Close enough to keep laughing, far enough to enjoy the little/big sister roles
This is beautiful! I have never been an overly neat person and having kids has really amplified that. I don’t want to live in a sterile environment. I’m hoping I can teach the kids to clean up a little bit, though.
I spent a ton of time teaching them to clean, how to put toys away correctly. A strange phenom though, they hits their teens and completely forgot it all. Pace yourself 😉
My ‘kids’ are now 18 & 22! AGHHHH – How did that happen? We ALWAYS had adventures and made mundane things exciting with a little injection of MAGIC! I truly believe it’s SO important to enjoy your babies. Despite being a young mum, 3 weeks shy of 21 with my first born I was adamant and headstrong that I would ALWAYS rock my babies to sleep! I LOVED IT & THEY FELT SECURE – Swaddled and snuggled up with mummy. I had the original verse of ‘Babies don’t keep’ hung on the wall & simply pointed to it whenever an ‘experienced’ mum would tell me I shouldn’t ‘spoil’ them, I should just put them down to sleep. ARE YOU KIDDING? This was our favourite time! As they grew I made up games of ‘who can get this most toys back in the toy box’ before bath time! They loved it. Of course I was tired at times but my children have NEVER fought & never once hit the other. Today they are the best of friends, their Love for each other so apparent. We hug and say I Love You every day. I treasure that. My husband and I are trying for another baby now – big gap but our children are SO excited about it. I miss my baby time so much and feel I’ll have such support this time round. My daughter wants to see her sibling arrive, magical. My son just wants to wait outside the door ha ha ha! But to ALL mums out there that are, as we all are, driven to distraction at times just try to remember – as long as you know your home is clean, the mess is nothing short of beautiful memories! Your wonderful children at play is a very precious thing. I had a little magnet on the fridge which I’d read, smile and it would reaffirm the important things in life: TIDYING UP WHILE CHILDREN ARE GROWING IS LIKE SHOVELLING SNOW WHILE IT’S STILL SNOWING! Mess=FUN! Your children deserve a home NOT childhood memories of mum was always cleaning, we never did much togetMher. Smiley Face & Star Charts are great tools, so simple. The joy upon your child’s face lighting up your heart as they get stars and smiles for ‘helping’ mummy (even if that help made twice as much work for you
I may be the oddball here, but I learned to embrace the mess a long time ago. Don’t get me wrong, I do keep a tidy home, I do sweep, vacuum, and do the dishes on a daily basis, as well as weekly cleanup. But I don’t sweat or nag over the toys if they are scattered in the middle of the living room. If someone drops by and has a problem with it, they can leave. I have kids, we live in the house, they want to play. They don’t sit on the couch, under a glass bell all the time so I can have a presentable house. If they can’t handle it, they can leave.
Good for you! You have a wise outlook to enjoy the moments ♥ I wish I’d had more of that perspective, I drove myself ragged trying to do too much. I sure hope to encourage younger moms to let that pressure go a tiny bit. I’d still try and be tidy, still teach them to put their toys away, that sort of thing. But I wouldn’t lose sleep over the perceived failures
Beautiful
Thank you for your constant support La
I really appreciate this, because I feel like everyone is always nagging me (not me personally, but you know, helpful blog posts, FB posts, etc) about how you can’t do stuff for your kids because you’re enabling them. And honestly, I’m not great at that. I expect a certain amount of self-sufficiency at home, but I still make Joe’s lunch every day, and (shhhh) I do his laundry. I did the same for the olders, and yet, here they are, mostly self-sufficient, paying their bills, figuring out college and jobs and stuff. So it all happens sooner or later, and there’s alot to be said for mothering while you can. Especially hugging. xo Kathleen
You encourage me being just a little ahead…
Whoa, whoa, get out the way with that good infnamrtioo.
You’re gonna make me cry! I’m in the middle of the mess and the past couple of weeks, I’ve been growing weary of this phase. Thank you for the reminder; it’s refreshed my spirit. 🙂
Charity, praying for you sister. I know your season is so hard ♥
Thank you for this post, it blessed my heart. I’m so blessed to have a toddler, but some days I forget to just enjoy the mess. Time goes by so quickly, I don’t want to miss a single minute of his little life but sometimes grown up responsibilities make me rush through my time with him and not treasure each moment.
i am so glad you were encouraged here today
LOVE! I have learned that with two kids under 3, I can expect to have a hot mess of a house for the next several years. I’m doing the best I can…but I have to get over it and let it happen!
That is the truth! You have your hands full! My kids were similar age differences, and it has been so fun over the years. Close enough to keep laughing, far enough to enjoy the little/big sister roles
You continue to amaze me every day! Love you!!!!
I love you too mom ♥
This is beautiful! I have never been an overly neat person and having kids has really amplified that. I don’t want to live in a sterile environment. I’m hoping I can teach the kids to clean up a little bit, though.
I spent a ton of time teaching them to clean, how to put toys away correctly. A strange phenom though, they hits their teens and completely forgot it all. Pace yourself 😉
My ‘kids’ are now 18 & 22! AGHHHH – How did that happen? We ALWAYS had adventures and made mundane things exciting with a little injection of MAGIC! I truly believe it’s SO important to enjoy your babies. Despite being a young mum, 3 weeks shy of 21 with my first born I was adamant and headstrong that I would ALWAYS rock my babies to sleep! I LOVED IT & THEY FELT SECURE – Swaddled and snuggled up with mummy. I had the original verse of ‘Babies don’t keep’ hung on the wall & simply pointed to it whenever an ‘experienced’ mum would tell me I shouldn’t ‘spoil’ them, I should just put them down to sleep. ARE YOU KIDDING? This was our favourite time! As they grew I made up games of ‘who can get this most toys back in the toy box’ before bath time! They loved it. Of course I was tired at times but my children have NEVER fought & never once hit the other. Today they are the best of friends, their Love for each other so apparent. We hug and say I Love You every day. I treasure that. My husband and I are trying for another baby now – big gap but our children are SO excited about it. I miss my baby time so much and feel I’ll have such support this time round. My daughter wants to see her sibling arrive, magical. My son just wants to wait outside the door ha ha ha! But to ALL mums out there that are, as we all are, driven to distraction at times just try to remember – as long as you know your home is clean, the mess is nothing short of beautiful memories! Your wonderful children at play is a very precious thing. I had a little magnet on the fridge which I’d read, smile and it would reaffirm the important things in life: TIDYING UP WHILE CHILDREN ARE GROWING IS LIKE SHOVELLING SNOW WHILE IT’S STILL SNOWING! Mess=FUN! Your children deserve a home NOT childhood memories of mum was always cleaning, we never did much togetMher. Smiley Face & Star Charts are great tools, so simple. The joy upon your child’s face lighting up your heart as they get stars and smiles for ‘helping’ mummy (even if that help made twice as much work for you