Parenting In This Day and Age

I told you I was thinking a lot lately about my role as a mother. I didn't say I had any original ideas on the subject, but I've certainly been reading lots of blog posts, etc. that I want to share. Here's another...

From Kevin DeYoung on The Gospel Coalition:
an excerpt from the beginning of his post Parenting 001...
"Does it seem like parenting has gotten more complicated? I mean, as far as I can tell, back in the day parents basically tried to feed their kids, clothe them, and keep them away from explosives. Now our kids have to sleep on their backs (no wait, their tummies; no never mind, their backs), while listening to Baby Mozart surrounded by scenes of Starry, Starry Night. They have to be in piano lessons before they are five and can’t leave the car seat until their about five foot six."

and one from the end...
"I just know that the longer I parent the more I want to focus on doing a few things really well, and not get too passionate about all the rest. I want to spend time with my kids, teach them the Bible, take them to church, laugh with them, cry with them, discipline them when they disobey, say sorry when I mess up, and pray like crazy. I want them to look back and think, “I’m not sure what my parents were doing or if they even knew what they’re were doing. But I always knew my parents loved me and I knew they loved Jesus.” Maybe it’s not that complicated after all."

Click the link above for the full article.

Since I realize it's easy to 'talk' on a blog or wherever & come across like I've got it all together or that I'm being this wonderful, multi-tasking mom, I feel like I should confess that I don't and I'm not (never have, really). My house is a wreck & has been for months (I blame nursing school). We've eaten way too many fast-food meals & the kids have spent way too many hours on the weekend zoned out watching cartoons while I try to catch up on laundry before the week hits us square between the eyes again. We haven't been to church on a regular basis in a long time (that one really bothers me the most). I could keep going on, but you get the picture. I try to do better every day (even if only by a teeny, tiny bit) & do my best to let go of the things that won't matter in the long run (like whether the kids have wrinkled clothes or cute lil' heart-shaped PB&J sandwiches). And, I hope once this season of our life is past (in less than a year - YAY!), I can get my act together a bit more.