When They Have a Mind of Their Own

Parenting was a heck of a lot easier and less stressful before my kids developed their own minds. Maybe not less stressful  but stressful in a different way. Will the baby choke on that cookie? Is he warm enough? Why won't he stop crying!   versus Why is my kid hiding in his room? Should I let her go to the dance with that boy? I really don't want him to drive my car, what if he wrecks it and gets hurt?

Worries are worried, no matter the age. And I didn't even include the worries and fears when kids leave home and start making their own way through life. That's when you really question your parenting skills and spend countless hours reviewing all the times you were too easy or now see that decision you made wasn't a good one. Hindsight: always there when you don't want to hear it, right? 

I gotta be real here: I'm not really enjoying this parenting thing right now. It's hard and it hurts and I don't wanna anymore. 

But I will and as my mother always told me when the baby wouldn't stop crying or threw tantrums, This too will pass. 

I did the best I knew how and now the little babies God entrusted me with are venturing out into the world and making their own decisions. 

Two out and three to go. I figure by the time the last one is grown I'll have figured out this parenting thing.

But probably not.