Who Said That Parenting Would be Easy?

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about parenting and she said, “No one has ever said that being a parent was easy, and if they did, they either didn’t have kids or they were lying.” I would say that just about sums it up!

While the blessings of parenting abound and joy fills your heart as you experience even the smallest victories with your children, there are and will be some really tough days as well.

You see, the thing is that as a parent, we worry about our kids, it is as simple as that. And that worry translates into heartache many times. We worry about whether they will have friends or whether they will have the right friends, we worry about their health and well-being, we worry about them being mistreated or bullied, we worry about them not succeeding, we worry about their choices, we worry about their safety, we worry about their first love breaking their hearts, we worry about them when they go off to college, and we worry about them when they graduate, and the list goes on and on!  I am convinced that no parent-child relationship comes without heartache and worry; somewhere along the way, even with the most remarkable well-behaved smart children, a mom (or dad) is going to have a heavy heart for her children.

But when worry turns into fear and heartache, we have to remember to change that worry into prayer. Give God the control and let him guide your parental decisions. He is exactly all that we need to take this awesome job of parenting and turn it into unspeakable joy!

Here are some important things to remember about parenting:

• It really does take a village. Ask for help when you can’t seem to get through. Get support from trusted friends when times are difficult.
• You are never going to be the perfect parent, so don’t sweat the small stuff. I have made a load of mistakes, but thank God, my children forgave me and they still love me, even though I am basically broken!
• Pray more than you worry. Worry will drive the wrong behaviors, but prayer gives God control and He is able to do ANYTHING.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6