I try to never say I “need a break” from my kids. The terminology rubs me the wrong way! Sure, being a mom is hard. I have four little ones six and under and it is tough sometimes. There are days I feel like pulling my hair out and I’m convinced I am the worst mom in the world!
But kids aren’t housework. The kids aren’t my "job." Kids aren’t difficult text in a book. Kids aren’t a task to complete. (These things require periodic “breaks.”)
My children are people—people that God gave me responsibility for.
Instead of a break, I pray for God’s strength to make it through each day HE has given us together.
(I've found the comments on my previous post interesting, thought-provoking, encouraging...I feel such passion on the subject and I've been challenged to think about my stand...and continue to search the Scriptures to know what I believe...)
But kids aren’t housework. The kids aren’t my "job." Kids aren’t difficult text in a book. Kids aren’t a task to complete. (These things require periodic “breaks.”)
My children are people—people that God gave me responsibility for.
Instead of a break, I pray for God’s strength to make it through each day HE has given us together.
(I've found the comments on my previous post interesting, thought-provoking, encouraging...I feel such passion on the subject and I've been challenged to think about my stand...and continue to search the Scriptures to know what I believe...)
Good post Kristin! Always make me think!
ReplyDeleteI dont say it that much, but I have...and only to my husband.
ReplyDeleteBUT youa re exactly right about needing a break and getting one... I Believe with all my heart that the break needs only to be with God, not neccessarily Away from the kids...
Many blessings-
Amanda
I don't say it often, but having a husband deployed to Iraq for 15 months I DO indeed need a break from time to time and am not ashamed to admit it. I've tried to be the one who took care of everything, never asked anyone for help, never took time for myself, and more importantly with GOD.
ReplyDeleteI think as women and mommy's we try to make ourselves out to be superwomen, we're not...we're failable humans who from time to time need to have a moment from the children I adore and would die for if God allowed me to.
Oh my goodness! I'm not superwoman, nor do I try to be! I'm certainly not saying we can't ask for help or take a minute to unwind or even go out alone.
ReplyDeleteWhat I am saying is that in recent years, the trend has turned toward women being told that *you* is more important that giving our all to others. They're told that to be fulfilled or to be the best, they NEED to take care of themselves. Jesus tells us the last shall be first and that we are to die to ourselves. As a result, He gives us the strength to do what we CANNOT do on our own.
So while I'm not a superwoman, I serve an awesome God.
P.S. My biggest pet peeve, though, is the terminology--"break" as though our responsibility as parents can be shut off and come back to!
ReplyDeleteThank you for explaining, I definitely agree! When we become a parent, it's not something that can be turned off and on as if it's just some sort of little unimportant job. It's so much more! I would love if you share an opinion with me...when a wife says "oh my husband is watching or imo worse...my husband is babysitting our kids". Since when do DAD's babysit their own children? Sorry that's my big pet peeve! lol
ReplyDeleteGod Bless and thank you!
Oh also I write a lot more in my blog "My Gifts Among Other Things"
I really like this post. Thanks for writing it out like this. I've always disliked when moms say, "I need a break." When I do feel like that I have to pray and the Lord reminds me that it is in him that I need to rest. His yoke is easy and his burden light.
ReplyDeleteI've posted about this before and if you go to my blog you'll see it on the sidebar.. but I think one thing that is hard for mothers today being at home is that we are so isolated. We (most of us) don't live with or very close to family so we don't have a constant connection with other women, older women or even younger women/girls who play/watch our children. This to me is what can make it difficult. My mother lives in another state and my mother-in-law is an hour away. Our desire one day is to be closer so that we can spend more time together for many reasons, but one is this feeling of being stranded.
Good post.