This past weekend I spent some time with my niece and nephew so that my sister and brother-in-law could have some much needed time alone. It was so great and those little ones are beyond adorable (and hilarious too). We had all hands on deck, which was fantastic. A five to two ratio sure helps!
I couldn't help but realize that although our youngest us six, for the most part we are in a very different stage of parenting these days. I had forgotten what it feels like to eat your dinner after everyone else had eaten and to have your shoulder covered in a mixture of slobber and tears. I had forgotten how you have to constantly be on the lookout for danger - stairs, choking and so on. I even found myself feeling unnatural as I was changing a diaper. It's funny how you completely transition out of a parenting stage not even aware that you are doing so. One day you wake up and realize that all of your kids are independent and you're pretty much caught up on sleep. Bizarre.
I was made freshly aware that parenting toddlers and babies is hard work! Saturday night gave me a fresh reminder of just that. It made me want to gather my friends who have little ones and hug them. I wanted to tell them what a great job they are doing and rally around them. I wanted to encourage them to take time for themselves and be especially kind to themselves, because they are doing hard work.
For those of us that don't have babies and toddlers, let's do just that- let's not just be spectators, let's come alongside moms with young ones. Let's pray for them, encourage them and not judge their choices or roll our eyes when their kids throw a tantrum in the grocery store. Those of us with older kids have been there (and in many ways still are). Let's show them tenderness and support and cheer them on. They are so brave.
They're in the trenches -and your words, your note, your prayers, your visit, your offer to babysit or drop by with a coffee might just make all the difference. It takes a village to raise children. I know I'd be lost without my village, especially in those early years when I was sleep deprived, desperate for a shower and dying for five minutes to myself.
They're in the trenches -and your words, your note, your prayers, your visit, your offer to babysit or drop by with a coffee might just make all the difference. It takes a village to raise children. I know I'd be lost without my village, especially in those early years when I was sleep deprived, desperate for a shower and dying for five minutes to myself.
Who can you be a support to today? Who can you and I show some tenderness to?
