Yes, this was my half of the conversation with God this morning as we started on our new adventure of the DAILY SCHEDULE not to be confused with Jeopardy's the Daily Double. Not nearly as fun and it doesn't win me any money. Doesn't win any prizes unfortunately. I'm sure you're all wondering what in the heck I'm talking about. Just sit tight, I will tell you...Yes, Lord, I'll do it without complaining...not even a little.
Over the Christmas break I did a lot of soul searching, and a lot of thinking, and some more searching. And I reached way down into my mother's heart, the part of me that desperately wants to be the best mother I can be, so my children can be the best they can be, I decided that I thought it would be best for the kids if they have a more stable schedule. Those of you who know me well know that I don't do things halfway. So, I talked with David and he agreed. Those of you who knew David well before he married me know that he pretty much had a schedule for the next two months...(YIKES!) I probably don't need to tell you that we are polar opposites in this area and it has caused it's share of "intense fellowship" in our happy household. Back to the matter at hand.
Everything I've read about children developing (written by experts and parents and child care providers) says that children thrive on consistency, that they learn faster and better when there is structure. I really want my children to thrive...really I do...it's just soooo hard sometimes to do what's best for someone else. (totally different blog here...how having children effectively assassinates selfishness, or at least puts it in time out...for a few minutes) Anyway, I had put it off and put it off using the excuse that I stay up late with Joe and then I'm up later than that doing homework and then I have to relax before going to bed and by the time I'm done with that it's 1 am and I go to bed to sleep for a few hours to be woken up by the baby...you get the point. I'm very good (or at least think I'm good) at justifying this whole free form lifestyle. Well, in a rare but quiet moment God kind of whispered to me I'm training my children in the way they should go and here's a little insight into that conversation (none of this was out loud, but please don't turn me in, i really don't like white walls).
">Erin, can we talk for a minute?
Sure God, what's up?
You see that little boy over there?
Um yeah, that would be Solomon...my oldest...you know it took me 37...
Hey
Yeah?
Focus here ok?
Yeah, sorry...
It's ok, now, back to what I was saying. You know he's pretty special.
Yeah, I know, have you heard him...oh wait...of course you have, sorry, focused.
It's ok, I understand, You know you're pretty special too, that's why I gave him to you
Aw gee, thanks God, that's really nice of you
Well, yes it is, but it's also not...see I know that because you're just the right person to be his mommy you'll want to do what's best for him.
Yeah, it's pretty important. This whole raising kids thing. Thanks for noticing!
MmHmm...actually that's what I wanted to talk about. Remember the verse that says,"Train a child in the way he should go and when he is-
Yeah, when he's old he won't forget it, or something like that. Right?
Close enough, you get the point. Don't you think he could use a little more structure?
Aww, Structure? See, that's not really my thing, I'm more of a free form parent. You know...
Yes, I know.
Oh, right, 'cause you're God and...oops sorry, focused
that's ok,
But God, don't you think it's valuable for him to learn to go with the flow, expect the unexpected?
Well, those are valuable things for him to learn yes, but right now it's BEST for him to have stability.
Stability, like... a ....schedule?
Yes, exactly, I knew you would get it!
Umm, do I have to?
Well, no, but it is what's best for him, don't you think?
Ugh...I guess
What?
I said yes
that's not what you said
You're right, I said I guess
Are you grumbling?
N- yes, sorry, it's just that you KNOW i don't like schedules, they're so strict, so final, so rigid so...
stable?
Yeah, stabl...hey! that's not where I was going with this!
I know, but that's where I was going with this.
Right, ok...I'll do a schedule.
You need to tell David
Why?
Because he will help you
You mean he will make me do it.
No, he will help you, you will make yourself do it, after all you want to be the best mom you can be right?
Right. Ok. Schedule.
And so you can see where all of this came from. Totally not my idea. And David, when I told him, just smirked...ohh how I glowered at him. But then I couldn't really be mad could I? I did suggest it. Anyway, so today was our first day into this adventure known as the schedule (this sounds so ominous in my head) and it didn't go so well. We had appointments all over the place and grocery shopping and the only thing that happened at the time it was supposed to was me getting up at the butt crack of dawn. Ok Ok, it was 730, but to me, that's the butt crack of dawn. We mutually decided to move wake up back to 8 am, so that I have time to nurse Joe in the morning before starting breakfast. Though I'm sure as he progresses into more solid foods this will change. In any case, in honor of my attempt to beat down my selfish desire to sleep in I must go to bed, so that I am semi- human when I'm cooking breakfast tomorrow morning. So, good night all. Sweet dreams. I will keep you posted on the schedule and how it works out for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment