When I look at this picture of my kids, I can't believe how fast they are growing up.
Is it normal to love watching them grow and to cry watching them grow all at the same time?
Luke is a tween.
Seth is almost double digits.
And, Lydia is nearly five.
I wonder why moms constantly feel like they could be doing more?
Is it all moms or just certain moms, like me?
Why do I end my nights wishing I'd sat with them more?
...wishing I'd talked with them more?
...wishing I did crafts every day of the week?
...wishing I'd read just one or two more books?
...wishing I'd sat outside for a few more minutes watching them shoot hoops?
...wishing I'd dressed baby dolls for one more hour?
...wishing I'd invited them into the kitchen to help with one more meal?
My mom says that my generation worries so much more about this kind of stuff
than she and her friends ever did.
What do you think?
{thankful for}
150. hot chocolate from starbucks.
151. a mom who tells me I'm doing a great job mothering these babies that aren't babies anymore.
152. a savior who brings peace when the *try hard life* attempts to draw me in.
It's not just you...
ReplyDeleteI'm not a mom yet, but I am certain I will feel just like this when I finally (hopefully soon) have my own little babes. They are your babies and you don't want to miss out on anything. I definitely understand.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture, and beautiful kids! You are very blessed :)
Bailey
http://lostandfound-bailee.blogspot.com/
First can I just say that your children are BEAUTIFUL!!! Second, I have to say that my mom tells me that same exact thing ALL THE TIME!!! She reminds me constantly that she never has read a parenting book in all her years, nor has she ever asked a girlfriend about her parenting!! LOL!!! She said she just always did what she knew was best for us no matter what it was. Wow, so much simpler, huh?? Maybe good advice!!!
ReplyDeleteWe all have that stupid guilt thing. I know when I raised mine, I always wanted to do the best I could and never quite felt like I was. I think though it really is quantity and not quality. Being there matters not if you are doing everything in the world to show them your love. Just being with them, they know it. I remember my mom being home every time I got off the bus. I don't really remember the specific things she did with me, but I remember her always being there when I needed her. Kick that guilt to the curb. The enemy wants us to be unsettled. BTW you have adorable kiddos.
ReplyDeletemaybe your wise mama will do a guest post for us worriers
ReplyDeletei love the new images of your precious family too sweet friend
inbox me your new addy xo
My mother worried but about different things. Instead of worrying so much about her kids, she worried about doing housework right- ironing sheets, creases in jeans, dinner on the table, the perfect lawn by pulling weeds for hours. My grandmother stressed about money, getting her children to a better financial life, she worried about her son's inlaws didn't think our family was good enough since they were immigrants.
ReplyDeleteI think all generations have stress- just about different things.
your kids are adorable and they look very happy so you must be doing a great job! Maybe things back when your mom was doing it, things were at a slower pace. I suffer from that same guilt, as I'm sure many moms do. Its all part of being a wonderful parent, feeling like you can't do enough. I'll trade dishes, laundry, etc anytime my kids ask me to do something...you cant get that time back and who cares if there's still dinner dishes in the sink from last nights dinner? ;) Ask your kids what they think...I'm sure they'll say you're the best! :)
ReplyDeleteuh it's not just you. i am in a constant state of mommy guilt. it does go so so fast! great shot of your sweet ones.
ReplyDeleteoh and love your new look. is that tiffini? she did a wonderful job...it's a happy place.
ReplyDeleteI believe I'm in your mother's generation and I was always and still am a worrier and regretter (if that's a word). I always worried I wasn't doing the best job I could and to this day I regret not reading enough books, letting them help me in the kitchen more, having longer talks with them, playing dolls or ninja turtles long enough with them. The time goes way to fast. One minute their sitting on your lap and in what seems like a blink of an eye, they're living their own lives. I wish I could go back and have one week with them but alas, that's not going to happen. For all the young moms out there, be purposeful in your time with your children. There is never going to be a more important thing in your life.
ReplyDeletenope. not just you. i am constantly feeling this way...how do we change that?! like, really i want to know!
ReplyDeleteI think those same thoughts all day while I'm at work and it kills me! Our time during the weeknights are a flash between getting home and going to bed. Weekends are so busy that I feel like I never even see my kiddo, let alone spend quality time with her.
ReplyDeleteUGH~ we put so much pressure on ourselves.
Your kiddos are just precious Tara.
Here's to finding the balance that works for us and not looking back.
xo~
T
i am so NOT a worry prone person, but when it comes to my kids--i do worry; a lot. we homeschool as well, so that adds even another layer even on top of just the regular worry. hang in there. i hear we will always worry, no matter how old they are!
ReplyDeleteHi there, I've been reading your blog for months, so I thought I'd come out of hiding.
ReplyDeleteI think that all of the social media and just advances in technology in general, aid in our level of worries. In pregnancy, if the doctor sees something "abnormal" we're sent to a specialist, who sometimes can't see you for 48 hours. Or we see all of the worst that can happen if you baby isn't strapped into the best of the best car seat. Or even in this blog world we see that so-and-so does crafts with her kids every other day and their all perfect and happy and smiles.
But seriously when it comes down to it, I think it really matters how much our kids felt safe, or loved and valued. Truly. (I have to remind myself of this often.)
Your kids are beautiful. And I love reading all of your words and thoughts. Thanks.
I agree with your mom
ReplyDeleteand your not alone sister
I do the SAME thing..
why oh why does it not seem enough somedays?
there is a song I heard today that reminded me of
your post and I am thinking it is Skillet's new song. I can't find it though. I "think" it is Tick Tock? ugh..I am working on finding it and I will let you know.
much love to you and you are a good mama to those three beautiful kiddos and a wife;)
xo
you are such a wonderful mother
ReplyDeletein your 3 years in Orlando Wesley kids learned a lot from you and Andy- I think you showed a lot of us what it looks like to be an incredible parent
thank you for that
now please write a parenting book =)
I'll look forward to reading it in the future ;)
love you Tara!
What a lovely post! You have a beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteVanessa