A Note

Dear Jen,
I know you take your role as wife and mother very seriously. I realize that it is very important to you to do well with what God has entrusted you, that it is a big job and that you get tired. I also know that you value consistency as a key point of parenting. So, I do hope you will understand this is coming from the right place: I think you need to lighten up.

I don't mean you need to let go of the things that matter. Far from it. The big things can never be compromised. I just think you have started letting little things become big things. You and the kids (and your husband) could all benefit from a little more laughter and a little less control freak Mama.

Kids get hyper. They act silly. They break things on accident and forget their manners. They aren't perfect and neither are you. Yes, you need to help them learn to make their way in the world, but every now in then you might all benefit from the choice of laughter and grace.

Before you decide how to respond to the next set of inappropriate giggles about certain words or the decision to play chase instead of get their pajamas on, pause for a second and ask: Is this moment essential to their growth and development as God-fearing citizens? If it is not, consider your options for response. Instead of eye rolls, sighs, mini-lectures or snapping at someone as a first response, consider the implications of laughter (or at least a giggle or smile), joining in, creatively redirecting or quietly ignoring.

The world won't fall off its axis. You won't lose your power. You might actually regain a little perspective, earn a little more credibility, make a memory and feel a lot better.

Even if you just choose this a couple of times a day, I think you'll be glad you did.
Respectfully,
Yourself