Comments on: Being a Great Mom…

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:32:27 +0000

I can’t say I understand this in the way you do, since we don’t have kids yet, but I understand feeling like everything else is so much more important than spending quality time with your family and feeling overwhelmed because the house is a mess on top of everything else. It’s confusing and conflicting to our hearts to let ‘things’ come before God and loved ones. It seems that you and Luke do a great job though. You have Bible and prayer time as much as you can with your kids, and you instill discipline in them by attempting to keep things organized. Imagine how much different your family would be if all you did was play with them? When the time came for your kids to be responsible in same way or another, they would be clueless! (i would know! I work with too many families who take little to no responsibility and it shows in the way their children can’t read a book at 3rd grade and NEVER do homework!) Sorry… venting. Anyway… you are doing great! And eventually your kids will be able to help you more and then you will all get to play longer!! That’s my thoughts on the matter… As always, thanks for sharing! ~Love you!

By: Cara

Cara — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:44:21 +0000

First of all, I’m sure your kids absolutely know that you love them — your day made me tired, just reading about it!:)
My grandma gave my dad a framed copy of that poem when I was a kid; it made me so sad to think that she felt she needed to tell him that so many years later, but she was a working, very young mom (she had him when she was 19) and had 4 kids after him in quick succession, so he was almost like a second parent to his siblings. Anyway, I still remember that, even though I was a kid.
I definitely go the opposite way from “My house must be clean!” and therefore definitely do not have a neat, tidy house. If Brooklyn wants to play when I’m doing dishes, I turn off the water and play; now that she’s a little older I am realizing that I do need to teach her patience though:) So I will sometimes say “Mommy needs to wash 2 more plates, and then we’ll play.”
We are all doing the best we can with the personalities we have:) But my personal parenting philosophy is absolutely summed up in this poem, since I always say “She’s only going to be this little one time!”

Song for a 5th Child by Ruth Hamilton.

“Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth, Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing and butter the bread,
Sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.
Oh, I’ve grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
For children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.”

By: Jana

Jana — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:41:51 +0000

That poem is a great reminder – for all moms!!

By: Trisha

Trisha — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:54:34 +0000

I’m sure you are doing a fantastic job! But, I understand your dilema. I was in tears yesterday b/c the house was a disaster, and I felt that I had ignored both kids, except for the times I fed Olivia. I know you will find the balance between being a housewife and playing with your four beautiful children. By the way, I enjoyed the post about your day…made my head spin….but all the kiddos looked happy!

By: Erin Bolton

Erin Bolton — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:34:02 +0000

Aw, Lace. Pretty sure you’re doing a great job. Thanks for sharing your heart, though.

By: Emily

Emily — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:04:13 +0000

I agre with mom. You are spending time playing with your kids without realizing it. I know that my mom doesn’t like to play “childish, pretend games”, but I know that my mom would lay down her life for me. I know she would expend all engery she has for (she’s proven it these last 3 months!). Your children will never believe (although they may tell you for a short time) that you don’t love them and haven’t spent time with them.

By: MOM

MOM — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:06:23 +0000

My dad always told my mom: “Take care of the kids, the house can wait.” When your children are young, your days revolve around them. When they are older, the kids can get involved in the work as well as the play. That is the stage we are in now. Working along with Mom or Dad is a HUGE blessing to the children and to you. You are doing an amazing job! The kids need to see you working as well as playing. You are doing both, you just don’t realize it. The kids are turning out GREAT! Love you and your family!