Decisions, Decisions

The parenting gig is overflowing with choices. Should one of us stay home with the tiny humans or should we send them to daycare? Should we use positive parenting techniques or should we smack their booties like the so-called "tried and true" method our parents used? Should we feed them all organic or... is that a wood chip in her mouth?!

See what I mean?? I could literally drown myself in all the articles I've read on this crap! But, as of yesterday, after 3 entire years of parenting (*tears welling up as I try to recall what she was like as a baby), I've come to learn, and don't laugh at me veteran moms, that each decision we make as parents has to come primarily from our own hearts, with a good heap of Wisdom.

Tonight, my decision was to work out or to resume sitting in our big comfy chair and allow my 9 month old (*pause while I reminisce on her newborn picture for a moment too) to sleep soundly against my chest. Work out or listen to the sweet sound of baby breaths? Put myself through physical pain or soak up pure joy and peace from the warmth of that precious dreaming face? I mean really, dude, have you ever held a sleeping little one? There is absolutely no better feeling than letting your child sleep in your lap. It's my heaven. It's relaxing. It's stress-relieving. It's bliss. But alas, most days I have to lay the child down and spend some time with Daniel and Kelli. Yes, daily workouts are a great habit to keep, but sometimes you just gotta push things aside and listen to that call of motherhood. And I was so grateful that I did! I cherished every bit of that time with my girl, knowing that it's a tremendous privilege to hold a baby in my arms as she sleeps. And this brings me to my point...

Parenting is a privilege just as the choices we make each day are privileges. These are gifts from God, our Father. They are opportunities to love and to grow in virtue. God lays every, single, decision before us each day and affords us the option to follow His direction, or to see what we come up with on our own. Haven't you noticed how much better things turn out when we open up the door and let God in? The best days are always the days that I thought about God the most, that I depended on the Holy Spirit for guidance, that I stopped and thanked the Lord for the sweet moments. Our challenge as mamas and dadas is to constantly offer thanksgiving for these everyday choices we make whether they be difficult, life-changing ones. or easy yes's and no's. Be thankful that God gave us freedom. Be thankful that God offers His help. Be thankful that God is willing to let us take care of His children.