Heartstrings

Tonight I had my first "tearing at the heartstrings" parenting moment.  I was tucking my girls into bed when Leah spoke up in a concerned voice, "Mom, I need to talk to you."  She continued to tell me about how she doesn't feel like anyone likes her at school.  She said "Sierra and Lucy are friends, and don't include me.  On the playground, no one comes up to me to give me a hug.  It makes me sad." 

Instantly I envisioned myself going up to her school and telling all the little girls how wonderful Leah is and how it would be their loss not to have her as a friend.  But then, the rational side of my brain took over, knowing there was a teaching moment in this situation.

"Leah,"  I said, "You are a great friend.  You are kind and funny and generous.  I'm sorry you feel this way, but you hold your head up high and continue to be friendly.  And you are so lucky to have Hannah as your best friend!"  She took this in, but started crying and saying she didn't want to go to school anymore.  I hugged her and wished I had a magic answer.  She eventually calmed down and went to sleep. I walked away and said a prayer for her, and I am trusting God to take care of her little heart, to hold it in His hands and protect it.

I've heard it said that when you become a parent, it is like having your heart live outside of your chest (Thanks Maria for that quote!).  It is so true.  I want to shield Leah from any hurt or pain, but I know that I can't do that.  And I also recognize that in Leah's little six year old mind that the situation might not be as bad as she perceives it to be.  But still....I just want the world to agree with me in thinking she is such a wonderful, beautiful, tender-hearted soul. 

Because she is truly amazing!

Parenting Is Hard Work, But Worth It!

This has been a difficult parenting week for me.  Especially with Hannah and Leah.  Perhaps the girls have been having a little too much "togetherness" this summer, and the bickering/tattling/arguing has been off the charts lately.  And with the hot temperatures preventing a lot of outside play, my fuse has been a little shorter than usual.  I've snapped at them.  They've cried.  There's been a lot of time out, early bed time, and long talks.  And thankfully a lot of "I'm sorry, Mom" followed by "I forgive you."  On top of everything, I've had a teary week in regards to missing my mom.  It was just one of those weeks.  Parenting is hard work!

I feel like I'm learning how to be more flexible in my parenting style.  Time-out worked for a season, but when it stopped being effective, we switched to earlier bedtimes which seemed to make more of an impact on their behavior.  We talk a lot about treating our family with utmost respect, and we try to spent quality one on one time with each child.  It's a balancing act to stay on top of the discipline as well as maintain our home and any other activities I'm involved in.  Some nights I crash into bed completely exhausted.

Even though parenting is hard work, it is so incredibly rewarding and fulfilling and wonderful.  This morning after breakfast, I was in the kitchen cleaning up the dishes when I heard two little voices sweetly talking down the hall.  I stopped what I was doing and tiptoed to the doorway of Hannah and Leah's room. I couldn't make out all the words, but I heard giggling, so I peeked around the corner and this is what I saw....

Hannah and Lucas were snuggled up on the bed just talking and giggling away.

Just looking at their sweet faces brings me such joy.  I'll gladly take on the challenges of being a parent because THEY are worth it!