Parenting at its finest! I think...

The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable.
~Lane Olinghouse

When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out.
~Erma Bombeck

 












We all do our best as often as we can.  We are not perfect and, Lord willing, don't claim to be.  This post is to give all the parents out there hope and a good laugh at ourselves.  We share our struggles in many different ways.  The rolling of the eyes, the discreet nods of agreement, the look of, "I'm so sorry because I understand why your kid is screaming bloody murder in the cereal aisle".  Parents have the hardest job on the planet.  Bar none.  The job of a parent is to: spend thousands of dollars raising one child (According to CNN Money, $235,000 by the time they turn 18 per kid, middle income family 2012 report), change hundreds if not thousands of diapers, constantly clean the entire house, drive to all 4,365 different sporting events, learn how to play every board game on the market, give up time and wants for theirs (Parent Rap, funny song), don't do as much with our friends without at least 2 months advance planning and subterfuge, and many other things you are probably thinking about right now. 

Our kids see the best and worst sides of us.  They know when to stay away and when to attack!  They know us sometimes better than we know ourselves!  They know we aren't perfect and honestly don't expect us to be.  Kids are very strange little critters...  They accept us regardless of our issues.  Funny thing is, we don't feel anyone else accepts us.  Parental pressure is present practically permenantly.  In-Laws in many households is a curse word.  So many parents believe that everyone is looking and judging them and their children.  It's like an initiative from the CIA, FBI, and NSA to sneak up and film everything you do with your kids.  Moreover, it is satan's goal to get us to feel like we cannot do it and don't have what it takes to be successful parents.  If this has ever happened to you, raise your hand.  I can see you through your camera on your computer because I have been spying on your parenting, so be honest!  ;-)  It is ok to struggle as long as you don't give up or give in!  The only thing about struggle I would recommend is, DON'T DO IT BY YOURSELF!!!  Get help with your kiddos from someone else you trust.  Get help from a professional you trust.  If you trust your parents or In-L**s, ask them for help.  Read a good recommended book on parenting and discuss it with your spouse.  Satan will try to give you miscues about who is trustworthy and who is not.  Pray.  Pray.  Pray.  As MC Hammer said, "you've got to pray just to make it today!"  It's true too.  Once you find that trustworthy person, or God shows you one, open up.  If they are a really trustworthy person, they will know and understand what is going on and they will be able to help.  I can guarantee we all struggle.  Without a doubt, 100% of us do.  It is high time we get over ourselves and walls we have created in our lives.  Mom's and Dad's for generations have had issues with kids.  You and I are not alone and never have been!  Let's work together on this business!  Let's create an atmosphere and community of love and Godliness so our children can pass on those same two qualities to our decendants. 

Epic. Parenting. Fail.

Don't compare yourself with other parents.  Please don't compare yourself with celebrity parents!  God made it pretty clear that we would each be accountable for our own life.  Do your best and don't be afraid or ashamed to get help when you need it.  Get someone you can decompress with.  Pray and destress in good, healthy ways.  It will help the parenting seem manageable and blessed.  Watch for satan trying to feed you bad fruit in your parenting.  "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit." Luke 6:43  If a thought or feeling is from God, it is good.  If a thought or feeling causes you to be tempted to feel you are bad or inadequate, it is from satan.

Parenting is a very difficult job.  Mom's and Dad's have their own difficulties and rewards.  Work together and with others to succeed with your parenting!  Here is two videos that are highly descriptive of being a Mom or a Dad. Good Laugh! 

Mom Song     Dad Song

I hope and pray you have a very blessed day!  Email me if you need anything or call!  Blessings!