“Anyone want a couple of kids? Mine are for sale. Or you know what, you can just have them. Especially this one. He’s a pain.”
“You wait around forever for the first kid to walk and talk. And then you spend the rest of their lives hoping they’ll sit down and shut up. And you push down and shush the second kid just so you can have some peace and quiet.”
“Listen kid, if you don’t knock it off, I’m gonna make you live at the zoo with the monkeys.”
“Just wait – your kids will be the same way.”
Do you hear these statements coming from other parents? Do you ever hear them coming out of your own mouth?
I’m guilty as charged – especially on that zoo one.
I actually saw that first one as a facebook status this morning. And it obviously got me thinking.
One of our goals in respecting our husbands is to speak well of them, even when they can’t hear what we are saying.
I think the same applies true for our children.
A lot of our attitude towards our children – young and old – is based on what we think and say about them when they aren’t around.
Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Just like when we talk badly about our husbands when they aren’t around and it tears them down, talking badly about our children – even to the point of “joking” about wanting to get rid of them – can provoke them.
Kids sometimes don’t know how to process their emotions. When they crave attention, for example, sometimes they behave poorly because it gives them attention, even bad attention. Kids act out for all kinds of reasons.
What if you would choose joy on the even the hardest days?
Dare you.
Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
I know that the throes of parenting, the day in, day out, the crying, the cleaning, the running around and chasing – it can be exhausting and wearing. I know it’s easy to get discouraged, to never feel like you get anything done besides changing diapers and doing laundry and cooking dinner and keeping up with the crumbs on the floor.
But I dare you today to find joy in the hard stuff. I dare you that when you are in need of a vent, that you just speak facts and truth and not “child-bash”. And I dare you to thank God for the hard times as they are also a growing and shaping opportunity for you.
Please share in the comments ways that you find joy in the hard days and choose, even then, to see your kids as a blessing.
I loved this! Thank you for sharing.
Coming from someone who dealt for two years with people complaining about their babies… to me. Someone who was praying, PLEADING God for a child. It was too much to take, and I actually blocked several people on FB just because I couldn’t handle being stabbed in the heart like that. Even now, as uncomfortable as it has been to be 8.6 mos pregnant, I refuse to complain. I just can’t imagine complaining about something that I so desperately prayed for.
It has always bothered me when people speak over children, “You’re spoiled.” and “my little monster” etc. First off, they’re babies. If they’re “spoiled” that would be YOUR doing, not the kids’ fault. But it is my firm desire to speak life to my children. I don’t even speak those things over my DOG!!!
I love this. So much. Thanks, Leah!
Having been hurt with words, amongst other things, when I was small, I have tried so very hard to mind my words with our son. I’ve been accused of teaching him too much good and for encouraging him too much. But I am raising an encourager.
I’ve never EVER accepted when people said, “You’ll spoil him.” or other judgements. And I try so hard to stick up for the little ones, they hear and hold so much in their hearts that we don’t realize. What we say as a joke can be real as real can be to them.
Great post!
The same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead now also dwells in you [Rom 8:11] You now have that same power dwelling on the inside of you. When God spoke it manifested into reality (eg let there be…. )
The power of life and death is in the tongue, be carefull what you speak over yourselves and others because as you speak so it will manifest into being…….The word of God does not return void, it shall accomplish that for which it was sent forth to accomplish. So speak wisely over your children and husband. God Bless ♥
My husband and I have discussed the difference in parents that see their kids as blessings and those that see them as burdens. It is so sad that signs of giftedness – the chatter and inquisitiveness – are often quieted with medication because a parent wants their kid off from them and quiet. I seek joy from my babies every day and it is never hard to find! I laugh and thank God for all of our hilarious moments. And I remind my babies that when God was making them, He picked me for them out of all the other moms in the world because He knew I needed them.