Since I became a mother I notice things I never would have thought about otherwise.
I notice when it’s quiet, and sometimes I sit still just soaking it in. Quietness feels like a gift.
I treasure a phone conversation when I am not interrupted (not once!) by someone needing their coat put on, or needing their bottom wiped, or one of my children coming to me wailing loudly because they hurt themselves.
Listening to a podcast without background noise is so enlightening. I can actually focus and learn something!
Vacation now is driving without needing to answer 56,88774 questions from the back about what the electric lines are, and why do birds have feathers, and can we invite someone over for supper, and how many minutes till we’re there?
As a teenager I never would have thought going grocery shopping by myself would rank as prime alone time, but being a mom has changed my perspective on many things and I have learned a huge amount of appreciation for small things.
But even while I enjoy time to myself I find that I’m often thinking of my little ones; wondering how it’s going for them without me and longing to get back home to see them again.
What small things do you appreciate more as a mother?
Well, this is the third time I try to comment here…I got interrupted twice before. But I was going to say that anything uninterrupted is a blessing to me these days! A homeschool mom of six children ages 12 to 1. And also offer this encouragement from Isaiah 58 where it reads of the acceptable fast unto the Lord. A friend recently shared with me how we as moms do the things listed there in verses 6 & 7. We feed the hungry, we clothe the naked and we do not hide ourselves from our own flesh (that is, we are constantly available to our family). And as our children grow older we help to loose the bands of wickedness and undo the heavy burden. When I viewed life in that light my daily tasks of serving my family suddenly became a holy calling. My life, a fast acceptable to the Lord. Giving up the moments of me time to share my cup of tea with little ones around me. Doing those less than desirable things “as unto the Lord.” He sees, He hears, He answers! Blessings to you!
Thank you for sharing! That is an amazing thought that those things apply to raising children. It really gives me a new perspective!
Did I ever mention to you about Date Nights? We used to do it when we were in your stage of life, and found it very valuable to have some alone-time as a couple to keep our marriage strong in the thick of parenting. At first when your children are preschoolers, you can use big words to have private talks “over their heads” or even a different language, if you know one, but when your children get school-aged, that works less effectively. So we would send our children to be babysat by others for an evening once a month, and then our turn would come around to babysit all the children while our friends went on a date. Interestingly enough, our children looked forward to Date Nights as much as we did, cause they enjoyed playing with their friends, new games, and eating someone else’s cooking for a change. Sometimes a date for us was just as simple as a quiet meal at home together, doing a couple’s devotional book, and just lots time for uninterrupted talks about how we’re doing personally or getting on the same page with the struggles in our parenting journey. It can be a life-saver for a marriage to keep connected in the busyness of those hectic child-rearing days! Blessings as you parent and work at keeping a strong marriage!
Yes! Date nights don’t have to be complicated or expensive! Last week we got a babysitter and just had a cozy dinner at home in our cabin with a crackling fire in the woodstove. Lovely!