Today has been a rough day. I’ll just lay it out there.
The kids are home from school for Easter break (just today, tomorrow and Monday) and I was looking forward to a leisurely morning without the mad rush to school and a lazy day at home, with perhaps a trip to the mall or the farm later on, depending on the weather.
Instead, it’s been a day of constant fighting, bickering, nagging and whining. No one seems to be interested in cooperation or obedience. And I have no patience for it.
Well, okay. That’s putting it mildly. Impatience is only the tip of the iceberg. I have lost my temper, I have been short, I have been sarcastic, I have been distracted, and at times I fear I was unfair.
Let’s just say, I am not proud of how I’ve responded to my children today.
Most of us don’t talk about days like these on our blogs. We’d prefer to be the blogger who writes the articles on how to raise responsible kids. We like to make our lives look pretty on our blogs because . . . well, who doesn’t want the pretty life? I know I do.
And for the most part, I have a pretty great life. I know that. But, you know, mama said there’ll be days like this, there’ll be days like these, my mama said…
And unfortunately, plenty of them.
I recently received a copy Kristin Welch’s book, Don’t Make Me Come Up There!: Quiet Moments for Busy Moms.
Last night I sat down and read through the first few chapters. It was perfect timing because as I sit here and reflect on the trials of the day, I’m so thankful for Kristen’s book and her gentle encouragement. It’s comforting to know that I am not alone.
Days like this happen to all of us, despite our best intentions. Furthermore, Kristin reminds us in her book that we have a heavenly Father to turn to when we have to admit that we just can’t do this motherhood thing on our own. And His grace is sufficient. Always.
I was humbled by the story Kristen told about when she lost her temper on her kids. She was distracted and absentmindedly gave permission for her kids to color with Sharpies. When she found Sharpie marker all over her fine furniture, she lost it. Frankly, I cannot imagine the sweet soft-spoken Kristen that I know hauling off and yelling at her kids, but she says that’s exactly what she did.
After she had time to calm down and rethink that series of events, she realized that she had been in the wrong, and she confessed her sin to her children and asked for their forgiveness.
Fortunately she was able to use a Magic Eraser to get the marker off her table, and I love her analogy between that Magic Eraser and God’s grace. When we approach Him and repent of our sins, He takes our sins and erases them clean away, just like that Magic Eraser. Not to say that there are never repercussions for our sins, but we can approach His throne with confidence, knowing that He has paid the price for our sins, and He will complete the good work He began in each one of us if we put our trust in His promises.
Kristen’s book is full of anecdotes like these — short stories and reflections that moms can relate to. The best part is, the proceeds benefit The Mercy House, a home for pregnant girls living on the streets of Kenya.
Kristen has offered 2 copies of her book as a giveaway. To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post saying why you’d like to receive her book. If you don’t already know Kristin, you can find her blog at We Are THAT Family and follow her on Twitter at @weareTHATfamily.
I’ll randomly select a winner next Friday, April 29. Good luck!!
34 Responses
I’d like to receive her book because my husband and I are starting fertility and my greatest fear is that I will be a bad mother.
Oh my sweet friend, you are SO NOT alone! 🙂
I would love to have this book. I am a SAHM mom to an almost 2 yo boy! There have been, and will continue to be, many days where I lose my patience with my little man, but I’m trying to be the best mom that I can to him!
I enjoy learning from other moms walking this parenting path and know this book would provide just such an opportunity.
I love her blog and I’m sure I’d love her book too. It’s always nice to hear that we’re not alone in this motherhood thing.
I would LOVE to win this book because I am a first time mommy-to-be. I want to be the best mommy in the world and love hearing great advice from other parents!! 🙂
I’ve been a long-time reader of Kristin’s and would love to win a copy!
I’m that mom too. Especially with the losing the temper thing. Sigh. At this point, I’m hoping to heal the relationships and not do any permanent damage, since mine are heading out of the house to college. It’s hard work. Would love a copy of the book, if not for me, then for my almost-grown kids who will be starting this hard work soon enough.
I have read Kristin’s blog before, I must get back to it!
I have had many many many days in a row lately that have been less than blog pretty. They’ve been pretty ugly really. And God’s grace is sufficient, as long as we actually *allow* that grace into our lives. That can be the hardest part!
I have read Kristin’s blog, truly inspirational. I really need some help to stay calm and patient sometimes it is sooo hard
I love Kristen’s blog and all that she does. I think her book would be a great read!
3 kids -2, 4, and 6-years-old – and I teach kindergarten…enough said!!!!
I would love to read it – if I don’t win it, I’ll have to order it soon. I have a 4yo and an almost-2yo, and we’re in one of those seasons right now when the frustrations seem to outweigh the fun times.
Sounds like a good read. With summer approaching, I feel the need to create some sort of ‘schedule’ for the kids so that we’ll stay on track school-wise and also still have plenty of down-time. Thankfully, we’ve had a good few weeks lately, but I know all good things must come to an end. Sounds like this book might keep me from beating myself up about it when it does.
Happy Easter!
Oh, do I ever need this book. I have two teenage boys and I’m constantly losing it with them. I’ll take all the help I can get!! 🙂
Thanks for the great giveaway. I would love to read this book for the same reason as you, to see that we are not all perfect yet God will lead us as her wants us to go. Happy Easter. Please know that you are doing a great job with your kids and that we all have days like you described!
I think every mother could use some kind of encouragement every once in a while that they aren’t alone. For me, this is the time!
Beautifully written post! Love it. I can relate to it and would love to read that book. It sounds amazing and is something I could read…
Would love to win!!!!
I would love to read this book. We all have one of those days, but lately they seem to be coming more often. Life with a 5 and 6 year old really try your patience! 🙂
I would love to win the book because I have said the very same thing to both my boys since they were 2! They are now 16 & 18 and I still say it!:) I guess some thongs never change!!!
HI.. I would LOVE this book.. even if I dont win it I want to order it… I would love some guidance in this area… two boy and one girl and somedays I feel like pulling my hair out, but I know they are just sweet little angels sent from God… it is so hard to remember that some days though!!!!
Oh, I NEED that book! I had a similar day on Thursday. Started at 7:30am when I said we’d run out for donuts. One wanted dunkin donuts and the other whined about a donut from Giant. Spent too long at the kid’s dentist and then my son whined about going to the toy store. I said we would go after mommy goes to Trader Joes. Bickering and whining at Trader Joes. Almost told them we couldn’t go to the toy store. But since we aren’t usually in King of Prussia and I’d told my daughter she could use her $3 off birthday coupon.
It’s nice to hear that we are not alonge I know I lose my temper far too often and I feel like the worlds worst mother. I know that it happens to all of us and it’s good to hear about it every once in a while.
I am pretty good about not yelling at my kids b/c I really don’t want to make my 5 year old cry! Now when it comes to the 3 year old – I have not yet spanked her but boy does she really try to get a spanking! I am also always been the parent who refuses to even consider to spank her child but when your 3 year old is still screaming after 20 minutes and this is the third time out of the day I just want to scream and pull my hair out!
We just moved last week, I am 38 weeks pregnant and then some and my two year old is doing his two year old and not adjusting particularly well thing. Oh and they canceled preschool on me on Thursday. This week has been almost nothing but those days.
I would love to win this book because I had a day like that yesterday, too. It ended with me crying with regret over my reaction to my sons behavior as I rocked him before he went to sleep. He’ll be 4 in two weeks and he still likes to be rocked a little before climbing in bed, I’m going to do it as long as he lets me.
I’d like to win one because with baby #4 on the way in just 4 more weeks, I have been a total bumpzilla with my kids lately!
Thank you for your honesty!!!! I have those days more often than most dealing with a pre-teen with raging hormones! I live near you in PV School District. We have those same days off and I too was looking forward to a lazy morning! Instead, I got the what are we doing next, next, next…after taking the dogs for a walk with 2 kids in tow, a trip to the park, dying of Easter eggs, making cupcakes, DH coming home to dogs barking and kids whining(BTW he did ask me..is it always this crazy? REALLY?), playing tennis and baseball, etc., etc., they fell into bed at 9pm! I was right behind them!!! I love SPRING BREAK!
You are a great mom. Bad days happen. You are a GREAT mom. And if I haven’t mentioned it lately, you are a GREAT mom.
I’d like to win Kristen’s book to first read and second give to my friend who has a 4 yo, a 2 yo and is due to have another one next Friday. She is by far more patient than I could ever dream of being.
I have that book on my wish list so of course I’d love it!
I need that book!!!! I struggle some days to keep my patience with my 2 year old. I have been finding that giving myself a pep talk each morning has helped, in addition to my daily prayers. Even if I just say, “God grant me serenity” it helps.
Don’t beat yourself up about how you reacted. I remember my parents apologizing to my sister and me for things they said that they weren’t proud of. It’s ironic that I do not remember what they actually said or did, but I do remember the apology!
I would love a copy! I’ve been wanting to read it. 😀
I saw this reviewed on another blog and thought it sounded like a wonderful read. Sometimes I feel like I read too much on parenting other times I feel like I should read more in hopes that some of it sinks in and comes out.
I’d love to win this book, because it sounds like I’d be able to relate, but also to learn from her too!