There are always going to be days where I am feeling a little broken down, worried about one of my children, sad about them growing away faster than I can kiss them good-bye or guilty by the way I spoke, nagged, or yelled the night before. As a mother these past 9 years have been a constant cycle of growing stronger and weaker at the same time. I gain strength in my children while equally being broken down by parenting them. It is with a balanced intensity that I fear for their safety and bask in their independence. How these are all possible simultaneously in one heart, I will never know. I do know that I often lean on the advice of two books {philosophies really} that have never left my nightstand and have been with me all along the way.
The first book is Parenting with Love and Logic. When I am feeling unsure of how to handle a new phase one of my 3 kids is in or feeling badly for how I’ve handled a situation, this book is a clear reminder for me that my job is to help teach them each how to make good decisions. By offering clear choices and the opportunity to be responsible and self-reliant, I am helping to guide them into being amazing young people, and however unimaginable to me today, adults. I can’t imagine them being old enough to be out in the world on their own, but of course it will happen, sooner than I’d like. And when it does, I hope they can look back on their childhood and remember a mother that loves them dearly, offers choices, and sings + dances like no tomorrow!
The second book(s) are written by Katrina Kennison. I have mentioned her here many times before as an incredible source of inspiration. She can break my heart into a million little pieces with only a few words. In a profoundly moving way. She reminds me continuously about the fragility of life. How this time here today is fleeting. And just when I think I’m teaching my children all the wrong things, she reminds me of the beauty in our graceful little moments at home together. She reminds me to keep close to my heart all that is right, not all that isn’t. She has made me cry more than any other author ever has. I recommend her books + blog to every mother I know. Reading her words are like poetry. So simply put you can see and feel every word as if it were your own.
If you ever find yourself feeling the need to be inspired as a parent, pick up one of these books to do just that.
