tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9063006801924443038.post7400862020447472562..comments2023-10-04T11:35:35.610-05:00Comments on Anywhere Life Takes Me: One of Those Days...Hannah E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13481333651764521839noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9063006801924443038.post-30486912652886521762008-12-16T23:48:00.000-06:002008-12-16T23:48:00.000-06:00Raising kids is hard work. I think these helples...Raising kids is hard work. I think these helpless days are a real blessing to us. It makes us realize how dependent we are upon God to make up for our shortcomings. If we (thought we)had all of the answers, we'd be less likely to turn to Him. Those of us entering the teen years will most likely have our share of ups and downs as well. I've always tried to pay special attention to parents with GROWN children. I like to ask a lot of questions. Inevitably, those humble parents give all of the glory to God for his providential hand in the lives of their children. Your humility tells me you will be one of those success stories. We're standing with you!Dalenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11431563015435165672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9063006801924443038.post-83003927789438168542008-12-16T21:09:00.000-06:002008-12-16T21:09:00.000-06:00Hannah, Thank you for your honest words!!! I read...Hannah, Thank you for your honest words!!! I read your blog often because I love the realness you present. Clayton is almost 16 months only...and our day is coming. It helps to see how the Lord is guiding you through this...and it actually encourages me (as weird as that may sound!?!?)that a lot of children are strong willed like my little Clayton. I am sorry it was a bad day for you, but I know that your love for the Lord will continue to keep you strong and being the most amazing mom to both of your kiddos!!Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09013315149123163002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9063006801924443038.post-6008952787345363822008-12-16T14:26:00.000-06:002008-12-16T14:26:00.000-06:00Hey girl. I can relate to feeling discouraged. Bra...Hey girl. I can relate to feeling discouraged. Brantley showed quite a bit of disrespectful behavior yesterday during the cookie decorating party, and I struggled between needing to discipline, needing to be there to help Brayden, and with being a hostess of a party and the responsibilities that come with that. Brantley really started to crumble and be disobedient after Jonah left, and I was just really discouraged after everyone was gone. He's in one of those more defiant phases right now, and it's tough. Brayden being two now is adding a whole new dynamic, and my boys are starting to fight a lot, which includes physical fighting...biting, hitting, pushing, you name it...it seems to be happening in our house lately. This mom who did not grow up around boys is not used to all that physical stuff! It was humbling to have my boys acting up like that in front of all these moms from playgroup, some of whom are very new friends and don't know me well. But as you said, with these new challenges, God brings me to my knees and keeps me dependent on Him. And that is right where I should be. I'm thankful we're in this parenting journey together, and can encourage one another along the way.<BR/><BR/>When things slow down, we need to get together without kiddos. I've been missing my "real" time with you!Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10447785759171084572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9063006801924443038.post-37934116343119298242008-12-16T08:51:00.000-06:002008-12-16T08:51:00.000-06:00Hannah, I am sorry you are having a bad day, but m...Hannah, <BR/>I am sorry you are having a bad day, but man can I relate. We are in the trenches again, but this time I have both Rebecca and Andrew to work with.<BR/>I feel like the verses the Lord has given me right now is the one in Proverbs that says a gentle answer turns away wrath and Jame 1:20 that says the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of the Lord. I also felt the Lord speak to me during our Exodus study at BSF. After the people made the golden idol the Lord said He was not going to travel with them because he would destroy them. I have this tendency to think I have to resolve and restore everything immediately, but I am learning that there are times when it is best to retreat for a while.<BR/><BR/>It may not be a struggle for you but I struggle with wanting to respond with anger and not in love. Anger can feel right when I have such blatant wrong behavior from my children. God is still working on me in so many ways and He uses my children to teach me so much about myself and about Him.<BR/><BR/>And on a lighter note...I had to smile when you said you have a tendency to compare to others, because Sunday you all got a glimpse of Andrew's anger. Just focus on that and not all the "perfect" kids and maybe you will feel better. Ha! The good thing about my 3rd being strong willed is that with every kid I get less and less prideful about my parenting so it isn't quite as embarassing, I mean it is still embarassing, but not as bad. Saying a prayer for you today. Praying for perserverance and stength for this stage you are in. Thanks for being willing to share and for letting me make my own post on your comments.Christa Haglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01216732379533018264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9063006801924443038.post-22104798842465415102008-12-15T23:00:00.000-06:002008-12-15T23:00:00.000-06:00I can remember these days with Kayla. Most do not...I can remember these days with Kayla. Most do not believe me when I tell them how HORRIBLE Kayla could be when she went into one of her rages- - but I have it on video for proof. It was really scary for me. Self control is her biggest problem and when she would lose it- - it truly frightened me!<BR/><BR/>I can remember feeling like NOTHING I did worked and I felt like I had tried EVERYTHING imaginable. <BR/><BR/>Now that we have made it past that stage, the only advice I can give is to just keep pressing on and stay consistent. You may feel like you are beating your head against the wall, but your training is getting through, even when he doesn't act like it just yet. <BR/><BR/>Kayla has now blossomed into an amazing leader and is such a blessing to me and to others because of her strong willed, leading personality. I am sure you will watch the same things happen with Jonah.<BR/><BR/>It is A LOT of hard work. Try not to be too hard on yourself. I remember crying and blaming myself all the time for her behavior. I thought there had to be something I was doing wrong for her to be so bad. I thought I should be able to change her. <BR/><BR/>You are a wonderful mommy! God has blessed you with an amazing strong willed boy who will be able to STAND FIRM in his faith someday. I am so confident that all these strong willed children are going to grow up to be strong willed leaders for Christ! Hallelujah! We have that hope only because of Christ!<BR/><BR/>Keep praying for him and leading him and he will be fine! These days of tantrums will become a faint memory over the next few years. <BR/>(Hopefully it doesn't take as long for Jonah as it did for Kayla- -I was still struggling with Kayla pretty badly up until she was about 9 years old)Marcihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11136659990809327140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9063006801924443038.post-17996850188278199162008-12-15T17:38:00.000-06:002008-12-15T17:38:00.000-06:00so sorry for the hard day(s). I know all too well ...so sorry for the hard day(s). I know all too well that they are not fun and so stressful and frustrating. It seems like maybe it is this time of year and also when they can't get outside and run off their extra energy. Hang in there you are doing it all right by being on your knees and being consistent. <BR/><BR/>Jackson and Jonah are much alike in their pride, strong wills, and anger issues...I know, however, that I struggle in these areas, and so I feel as if I taught him VERY well how to handle it--in the wrong ways---already. It's awful. But we are both learning (and now Creighton too). Oh, it doesn't get easier that is for sure!Courtneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12957994275054972253noreply@blogger.com