Frustration to Life Lessons in 5 seconds!

This weekend my husband and I decided to take the kids to the lake ‘condo’ that their grandparents own so that they can experience vacation at the beach one more time before the hustle and bustle of the school year!

As time went on, my husband  and I looked at each other and decided this was way more work than we would have liked.  Who likes to sleep while on vacation, anyhow? Certainly not any 5 year old I know…or 3 year old….or infant….

My mind automatically went into frustration mode.  They were SUPPOSED to be sleeping. They were supposed to be in a good mood.  They were supposed to not be sassing….the list went on.

Unless I was going to pack up this family of five by myself and drive them home in the middle of the night, I knew I had to change my attitude.

Instead of letting this frustration take a further hold on me, I started to ask myself how my life has become fuller since I have become a Mom.  (Ok, it may sound sweet, but this was NOT easy, at first, while in the middle of frustration station!)

Below is a lesson for each child that came rather quickly once I was in the ‘mode’….

1.  Daughter, age 5.  I prayed for patience before she was born. God gave me her.  I have learned that I do not always listen to what she is trying to say and that I really have to stop what I am doing, kneel to her level and LISTEN so that we can move on, happily, to the next task/activity. She has something to say and I can not brush her off, nor should I, just because I am in a hurry!

2.  Son, age 3.  This boy taught me to let him run and play, get hurt and figure it out for himself.  He does not need Mommy for these things anymore. He wants to be “big” and take care of certain things for himself now.  Until a moment, fleeting as it may be…when he does need me, and luckily I am right there for him.

3.  Son, 5 months.  This bundle of joy taught me that NOTHING measures up to seeing your child look at you then realizing it is his Mommy, and opening his mouth in the biggest smile that a child that size can smile.  No words can describe the feeling I get when I witness him, seeing me, as I walk into his room.

These lessons remind me that my children are not just bundles of frustration and work, when I am in the middle of kid craziness.  This reminds me that they are people, that God gave to me and they have the ability to bring me joy and help me be a better person.

What lessons do your kids teach you?