Proverbs 16:24 "Kind worlds are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."
Several years ago, I remember being totally overwhelmed as a mom. I had a 2 year old and a newborn, and it was not easy. My oldest son was very go with the flow, until he turned about 2 and a half. Then he started melting down all the time. Over everything. I wasn't sure what was going on with him. I asked around and everyone seemed to think that he was just doing what normal 2 year olds do. I had a different feeling. With every transition came a difficult meltdown. Every time he got dressed and undressed, it was difficult. In order to cut his hair or cut his fingernails, I had to put him in front of the TV. When I dropped him off at church, I felt like I needed to talk to the teacher, and give her tips on how to handle him. I thought perhaps something wasn't right, but everyone around me didn't see it. During that time period, I lived on the Supernanny website. Her ideas worked. They gave me the tools I needed to be consistent, predictable, and fair. Her techniques allowed me to keep my cool and keep my eye on goal at hand.
Mattox and Sam were both constantly sick during that time. Mattox had a chronic cough that would keep us all up at night. He was eventually diagnosed with asthma. Sam had ear infections about every month and eventually got tubes. Thank God for tubes.
Those early days are hard days. They are so physically exhausting and you can seemingly do everything in your power to create the home and child you want, and it can be tossed back in your face with things that are out of your control. On one particular day, I was at the doctor, AGAIN. I was there with both boys and I felt like a complete failure as a mom. I felt that I couldn't even keep my kids healthy. I will never forget. My kid's pediatrician looked at me and said, "you are such a great mom."
I thought I was going to cry. I didn't feel like a good mom, frequenting his office every month and having a kid that melts down over everything. In that moment. It was exactly what I needed to hear. It was so encouraging. Even if he said that to every mom that day that came to his office, I didn't care. I took it and ran with it. I felt validated. I felt that FINALLY someone saw that I was giving this parenting thing all I had. I was working hard to be the best mom I could be. After all, being a mom is one of the most important roles I have, and he said I was doing a great job.
I will never forget how that made me feel. I try to tell my friends that they are great moms often. I would love to give to someone else what he gave to me that day. We all need to hear it, right? We are good moms. We are doing the best we can….and we are doing a great job.
