Ep 16: In the Trenches With Little Ones
Nothing can quite prepare you for the crazy culture shock of going from 0-1 child, 1-2 children, and 2+ children! It can feel absolutely exhausting. God does not want us to hang out in a perpetual state of overwhelm though. There are strategies to help you go from barely surviving to thriving and actually enjoying your motherhood. We infuse a ton of hope (and real life examples) in this must-listen episode.
In This Episode We Discuss:
The importance of enlisting help.
Lower your standards!
How attachment parenting can mean sleep for mom and baby.
The importance of community.
The importance of outside play.
Mentioned in this episode:
How to Talk so Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlich
DECLARATIONS
God, I acknowledge that I was made for love. You created me and breathed life into me so that You could love and enjoy me and so that I could experience friendship and relationship with You forever. Please give me the ability to receive and then to pour out the enjoyment of God into and over my own little ones. That they were made to be approved of, loved, celebrated and cherished in the same ways as I was. Please give me Your eyes, hands, touch, words, voice, thoughts and ideas for these kids today...minute by minute so that our time together is sweet.
I reject utterly any guilt, or self condemnation as a result of losing it or being impatient or unkind with my kids. Please forgive me for dropping the ball and hurting them. Please help me to extend forgiveness to myself and to choose the better thing. Give me words of humility that they will understand in order to restore our relationship.
I choose the endurance, stamina, zeal, passion, joy, ability and energy of God as a parent! I can do this. I have what it takes because You say I do. I choose to be wise about what my family and I need and refuse to go chasing after what others think/do or say. Have preeminence in my family, Jesus. I choose to be open to Your strategies and communication.
I choose to be a Leader to my little people. The Joy I access isn’t sappy, weak or ineffectual, but STRONG and mighty. I am a Commander, a Disciple, a Warrior who is level headed, just, self aware and flexible. I am full of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of God. I am eagle eyed and capable.
You made me for this chapter, for these people, for this task and I have what it takes. I am more than I think I am. Please reveal my worth to me today and show me more about my precious kids, so that I can love them more deeply and inform their identities and nourish their spirits, minds and bodies with everything they need.
God, I choose an exhilarated, merry heart. You inform my emotions, thoughts and actions. I allow You to nourish me in my body, spirit and mind. I am open to Your abundant life and inspiration. You are supremely Good and present and I love You.