My sacrifice...their gain. I am new to this staying home full time thing. I have several friends who do it, and it seems they are flawless in it. I have much work, and still so many lessons to learn. One BIG lesson I have learned, and am learning is the true nature of sacrifice. I thought being a single Mom I was pretty will versed in this, but, I am still learning the extent of sacrifice as a Mother.
Financially I learned very early on that I cannot have all I want as far as material things. It was the money I earned that kept Mr. Aiden and I going, and that was not a ton. So, I like to think on the financial end of it I have covered. You certainly learn that your child comes first in all aspects when the good ole dollar comes into play. Food, clothing, and shelter all come first for them, and if there is anything left you are next. I can remember very early on as a single Mom not eating...partly due to stress, but also due to money. I never wanted to spend money on food for ME, I wanted to ensure Aiden was covered, and I could go without. (I learned I couldn't go too far without however.)
Now I am on to much larger lessons....lessons in character, faith, and strength. As a full time Mom I feel guilty telling you I REALLY miss watching TV and just vegging out on the sofa :-) Do you ever miss those days? I do! But, what is more important? Me watching TV, or teaching my children the value of being active, and playing?
Do you ever want to just DEVOUR junk food all day??? I mean chips, chocolate, cheeseburgers!!! Yum...but, what is more important? Me eating a bunch of junk which will eventually slow down my body, or me teaching my children moderation, and healthy eating habits?
Do you ever have days where it is hard to slow down and remember to thank God? Do you ever have days where reading your Bible just does not sound appealing? I do! Sometimes I'd much rather grab a "smut" magazine (and, by "smut" I am referring to a Cosmo, or People), I'd rather know what the latest spring fashions are sometimes. I am guilty of that! But, it is much more important that I exhibit my faith to my children and the desire to nourish my faith than what the latest celebrity trends are.
Do I ALWAYS want to do a new memory verse each week with Mr. Aiden? Not always...BUT, it is my job to teach him diligence and the importance of school, and memory work...not to mention the value of each verse...
My point is this...Mothering...Parenting...it is all a balance. I do not think we need to give up all of our desires for our children, and I do think giving into these vices on occasion makes us human, and to a degree more healthy...but, it has been proven that consistent sacrifice is the nature of parenting. Something I learned to do is instead of saying, "I have to give up eating this big ice cream sundae," instead say, "I get to teach my children the value of healthy eating...". There really is a way to put a positive spin on almost anything I believe that entirely. And, these lessons on sacrifice are also strengthening lessons...each little turn I make I am learning something new about myself as a person, and I have discovered that I am much stronger than I give myself credit for, and these sacrifices are not hurting me at all, in fact that are only adding to my character. When we make healthy sacrifices our children gain. When I grab my Bible, or Aiden's Bible and read to him he gains...when I make a healthy eating choice, he gains...and as Miss. Natalie continues to grow she too will gain.
Financially I learned very early on that I cannot have all I want as far as material things. It was the money I earned that kept Mr. Aiden and I going, and that was not a ton. So, I like to think on the financial end of it I have covered. You certainly learn that your child comes first in all aspects when the good ole dollar comes into play. Food, clothing, and shelter all come first for them, and if there is anything left you are next. I can remember very early on as a single Mom not eating...partly due to stress, but also due to money. I never wanted to spend money on food for ME, I wanted to ensure Aiden was covered, and I could go without. (I learned I couldn't go too far without however.)
Now I am on to much larger lessons....lessons in character, faith, and strength. As a full time Mom I feel guilty telling you I REALLY miss watching TV and just vegging out on the sofa :-) Do you ever miss those days? I do! But, what is more important? Me watching TV, or teaching my children the value of being active, and playing?
Do you ever want to just DEVOUR junk food all day??? I mean chips, chocolate, cheeseburgers!!! Yum...but, what is more important? Me eating a bunch of junk which will eventually slow down my body, or me teaching my children moderation, and healthy eating habits?
Do you ever have days where it is hard to slow down and remember to thank God? Do you ever have days where reading your Bible just does not sound appealing? I do! Sometimes I'd much rather grab a "smut" magazine (and, by "smut" I am referring to a Cosmo, or People), I'd rather know what the latest spring fashions are sometimes. I am guilty of that! But, it is much more important that I exhibit my faith to my children and the desire to nourish my faith than what the latest celebrity trends are.
Do I ALWAYS want to do a new memory verse each week with Mr. Aiden? Not always...BUT, it is my job to teach him diligence and the importance of school, and memory work...not to mention the value of each verse...
My point is this...Mothering...Parenting...it is all a balance. I do not think we need to give up all of our desires for our children, and I do think giving into these vices on occasion makes us human, and to a degree more healthy...but, it has been proven that consistent sacrifice is the nature of parenting. Something I learned to do is instead of saying, "I have to give up eating this big ice cream sundae," instead say, "I get to teach my children the value of healthy eating...". There really is a way to put a positive spin on almost anything I believe that entirely. And, these lessons on sacrifice are also strengthening lessons...each little turn I make I am learning something new about myself as a person, and I have discovered that I am much stronger than I give myself credit for, and these sacrifices are not hurting me at all, in fact that are only adding to my character. When we make healthy sacrifices our children gain. When I grab my Bible, or Aiden's Bible and read to him he gains...when I make a healthy eating choice, he gains...and as Miss. Natalie continues to grow she too will gain.