Whatever you do, work with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not for men. Col. 3:23
You can do it, there you go…. Look she’s standing all by herself! Oh, he’s scooting across the floor! Did you get that first step on video?
Brush your teeth… Make your bed… Do your chores…
Do you have homework… Don’t forget your homework… Ask your teacher…
Get off the phone… Shutdown Facebook… Turn off the video games…
Choose your friends wisely… You’ll look back and laugh at this… I know it hurts, but forgive…
Don’t slam on the breaks… Remember to pick up an application… Congratulations you got the job!
I know you love her… I know you love him… I promise the pain will pass…
University or State… Have you considered a major?
It begins with helping them balance on their own, encouraging them to crawl, and coercing them to take that first step.
We think those first few stages are about teaching them independence, when the truth is that first year is parent bootcamp! Because, we then spend the remainder of our lives repeating what we learned that first year – teaching them to balance on their own, encouraging them to crawl out of pitfalls, and coercing them to take their first steps in everything LIFE!
The close of spring, and the birth of summer is a bittersweet time for parents. Many are inhaling deeply and exhaling loudly as their child moves from Preschool to Kindergarten, Elementary to Jr. High, and Jr. High to High school. While others are wiping away tears as their hearts pound with pride. They’re now watching the one they coerced into their first steps, independently walk across a stage.
Parenting is a lot like investing. Mutual funds are called a long-term investment. Watching the up and down of the daily market tells very little about the mutual fund. You don’t buy and sell things off when the markets high or low, you just keep investing and watch the overall growth.
The same can be said when raising our children. We can’t look at the daily ups and downs and determine the final payout. We don’t dump or buy when things look good or bad. No, we know as parents that we are in this for the long-haul. We continue to pour into them as we see the slow growth, knowing it’s not about quick returns it’s about the long-term payoff!
Happy Summer to all of my moms and dads out there… You’ve done good this past school year – Now celebrate with summer fun!
Thanks for the encouraging words! I can’t believe my son is entering High School already!
Yikes. I’m all for the summer fun part.
We are walking the same path Angi! They boys are growing so fast! Enjoy your summer, you earned it!
Yes, school is out and summer is officially here. And parenting IS a lot of investing. But so worth it. Next June, my oldest will walk across that stage to receive her high school diploma. I’m not ready for it yet. I pray by next year I will be. 🙂
Hi Denise,
Thanks for the comment. My daughter is a Junior this year, so I’m not so far behind you. I have been feeling the Lord prepare me for her graduation when she started seventh grade. The stretching, the releasing, and the all around desperation for God is a good sign He’s preparing my heart for her to fly the nest. I am certain your heart will be ready, albeit bittersweet, but that is what we do as moms – work ourselves out of a job! 🙂 Blessings! Enjoy your daughter’s senior year!