I usually get up to make S a lunch and iron his clothes. Today I only had to iron clothes so I went back to bed when I was through. Even though I had only been up for 10 minutes or so I could already tell I was in a BAD mood. I was already praying less than 5 minutes after I got up because nearly my first thought was a grumpy, selfish one.
It worked. I slept late and felt SO good when I woke up. I don't know why I needed that extra sleep but I did. Sometimes you just need to start the day over.
Sweetheart was nearly in tears 4 or 5 times within the first hour of school. Girlfriend was having a bad day. I told her to take a break and go brush her hair (which should have been done before school but I overlooked that) and to please fix me a Dr. Pepper. Little Bit called out "And get me some apple juice!" on Sweetheart's way out of the room. She cheerfully said, "OK" as she left.
A few minutes later she came back in the room with a beautiful teacup filled with room temperature iced tea for me and orange juice for her sister. Um. How sweet. And how NOT what we asked for. I thanked her, but I did have to bring up the listening skills. I told her if she was a waitress, she would be fired. More almost tears.
So I sent her to do some independent math practice on the computer. Perhaps some time alone would help. More almost tears.
I sent her back to bed.
I went back in the homeschool room to work with Little Bit and it occurred to me that a great opportunity was at hand. So I excused myself and went to talk to Sweetheart, who was laying on her bed holding a teddy bear and frowning.
We talked about starting our day with God. About how we need to ask Him for help. About how He cares how our day is going. I could have prayed with her....but I leaned towards encouraging her relationship with God.
She came back several minutes later. Her day got better. She told me later she was sure glad she had asked God to help her.
And I'm sure glad I had the chance to help her during her bad day. It breaks my heart to think of her at school having a day like that.
And all my wistful thinking about having 5 hours alone to myself like my friend whose daughter started Mother's Day Out today is gone.
Well, almost. Five hours would be pretty sweet. But I'm glad today that I didn't have that.
Thanks so much for this post!
ReplyDeleteI have a good friend who sent her kids to a private school this year and is now spending her days doing "interesting, important, grown-up" things, and I have been feeling so very jealous.
Yes, we are having fun with school, but it just wasn't seeming very fabulous or significant, you know?
But after reading this post I feel that having those chances to impact my kids' relationship with God IS fabulous and significant.
Thank you.
Oh I'm so glad. Yes...I will admit I've been longingly thinking about how much I could get done "if only." Terrible thoughts when I'm so very blessed.
ReplyDeleteThis opportunity may have never presented itself if she was not there with you! Just goes to show how important we are in our children's walk with God : )
ReplyDeleteAnother day REDEEMED!! It IS so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI agree, those moments are precious, and only available because they are home with us. It's a blessing to be able to talk through it instead of having them come home grumpy, and having to guess what the problem is. Well done Brenda!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! You are so sweet to post this for us! You made me want a daughter even more! HA HA...yea I have another child on the brain and bad. HUGS!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and am thoroughly enjoying it so far. I definitely feel your pain on the housecleaning, have too much stuff front. I often send my children to their rooms to read the word and pray when they are having a bad attitude. It isn't discipline. I just tell them that I can tell they are having a rough day and maybe it would be helpful for them to spend some time alone with the Lord. Then I tell them to go read the word and pray and come back and join us when they feel they are ready for the day. It almost always seems to work to help make that shift.
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