As we round out the month of February, let’s finish the month talking about love. Because, why not? It is the month of love after all. More so let’s talk about love and grace.
When it comes to parenting, it is the easiest job in the world, right?! …. Um, wrong! And in a lot of cases far from it. Being a parent is one of the biggest blessings life can give us, but it can also be the hardest. On the flip side, having the hardest job in the world also equates to the most rewarding. Seeing our children grow up and become adults with the help of our loving care is quite a beautiful thing.
But how in the world do we navigate to get to that part in the journey? Is there a handbook that someone can recommend to me? Anyone? No?
Although there are no step-by-step instructions on how to parent and raise the most kind and respectful human beings on the planet, there sure are a lot of resources and people to help. But to utilize them, we have to give ourselves grace.
Take it one day at a time
Since we are all given the blessing of 24 hours each day and a fresh start each and every morning, it’s the perfect opportunity to do our best. If our best isn’t so great, the good news is, we get to start fresh tomorrow! The best we can do is know that we are trying our hardest to do the right things and we know that we will make mistakes, we will have to make hard choices and we will have to pivot through the journey. But it’s comforting to know that we are not alone. We get to take it one day at a time.
Find a support team
You know the saying; it takes a village to raise a child? That couldn’t be more true! We were not put on this planet to be alone. By design, we are made to be around other human beings and we are built to crave interaction, love, trust, and support.
So, I say build a support team! Find those people that help you, build you up, offer encouragement and bring a smile to your face. Find special people who will also bless you with their prayers. The silent support might be the most important kind of support of all!
Having a tribe of people that you can lean on for help is one of the most important things to add to your toolbelt during your parenting journey. It can be crazy, messy, and beautiful all at the same time. Enjoying the journey with your support team is a special adventure and they will be glad that you took them along with you.
Rest in the precious moments
No, I am not talking about the adorable figurine dolls, I’m talking about being present and centered in your time spent with your children and family. Relish in the days where everything is seemingly smooth and recharge your soul with those awesome days. And maybe it isn’t a full day but rather a moment of the day. Be mindful to stop and give thanks for that moment. Those little moments are God’s grace, and they are pretty special.
Give yourself love and grace
As hard as it can be, we have to give ourselves the grace we have earned from God. It’s okay for us to acknowledge that things aren’t going the way we had planned or words and actions that we wish didn’t occur have crept in. It’s natural. What doesn’t come naturally is giving ourselves grace. We are definitely our own harshest critic, aren’t we? The things we beat ourselves up for seem so big in the moment but turn out to be so small in the grand scheme of life.
Knowing that it’s okay to have good and bad days and it’s okay to make mistakes makes it that much easier. We were not created to be perfect but rather imperfect, which is pretty awesome.
Enjoy the journey
The most important advice we could ever give is to simply enjoy the journey. Enjoy all the moments, the good and the bad, and embrace them because they are so short. It’s amazing how time can go so slowly yet you blink and wonder where the time has gone!
Our prayer for you is that you will enjoy your parenting journey with your support system while giving and receiving grace. Afterall love and grace is all you need.
Have a very blessed day,
Team Simply Blessed Kids