Savor This Season of Parenting

When my children were very small, a dear mentor and friend of mine listened to my woes. "Will this parenting thing ever get easier? It just has to get easier!" I cried. The words came tumbling from my mouth following several sleepless nights, when I wondered if I would ever accomplish more than cleaning up messes, folding laundry, and feeding little mouths. My friend's tender response was "Oh, Deb, parenting doesn't get easier; the difficulty is just different." She had loved every minute of her children's youth, but recognized the realities and the difficulties that were a part of each age and stage.

Consider how a young child lives in the moment, enjoying it for what it is, and emulate that attitude. Resist the urge to say, "Mommyhood will be so much easier when [you fill in the blank] is over!" (You might fill it in with anything from potty training to driver's education, from packing the diaper bag for her to packing boxes with her as she leaves for college or a career.)

Don't be tempted to wish away the days, even the difficult ones. It's in the difficult days that we often learn the most. And what about the current schedule, activities, and commitments with your [son or] daughter that you may take for granted? Stop to notice and cherish the little things. 
Today will never come again. 
She will never be this age again. 
She will continue to change, maturing physically, emotionally, and spiritually, sometimes seemingly in the blink of an eye. 

Delight in each day with your daughter! Enjoy the present, and savor every season of parenting!

Don't wait for the weekend or holiday to spend a little one-on-one time with your daughter. Even a brief while in the evenings is significant. Suggestions: 

• Create fun moments together. 
• Spread out a picnic blanket in the middle of the living room floor. 
• Trade back rubs, or give each other manicures. 
• Go on an outing. 
• Read a mom-and-daughter devotion, and receive the blessing and guidance provided through that nugget of truth for both of you. 

Live each day as though it is the last opportunity you have to impact her world for Christ: "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).

From Raising Godly Girls by Deb Burma © 2015 CPH. Reprinted with permission.