Labor: It's Just the Beginning

If it was going to be easy to raise kids, it never would have started with something called labor. ~Anonymous

I've been parenting for almost 13 years now and can't believe how much I'm still learning every day.  Much of it takes the form of trial and error. I'm guessing I learn nearly as much from my mistakes as I do from the successes.

Here are 10 lessons I've learned - or re-learned - in the past few weeks.

1.  Let the little things go.  It's not the outfit I would have chosen from her closet for our trip to the grocery store, but it's clean and modest.  Don't say anything; just take a deep breath and get in the car.

2.  Attitude is everything - hers and mine.  Yes, I must work on hers - but often I need to address mine before helping her with hers...especially with that child who's so like me.

3.  Apologize fully.  Look her in the eyes and say I'm sorry that I handled that situation incorrectly.

4.  Rearing children is a process.  It's the weeks and months and years of training and correction and love and prayer that will make them into women of character and grace.

5.  A sense of humor lightens my load and theirs.

6.  Losing my temper accomplishes...nothing.

7.  Be firm, with no drama.  If consequences for misbehavior are forthcoming, just state them simply and move on.  No browbeating, no lecturing allowed.

8.  If siblings are playing well together, leave them alone.  Lunch, schoolwork, piano practice...it can all wait until later.

9.  Be creative with correction.  There are many different ways to teach your child a lesson.

10. Seek wisdom.  If I had all the answers, I wouldn't need God - and how I need Him!!

Something tells me that this learning process will continue for as long as I'm alive. :)  Any parenting lessons you've learned lately and would like to share?