In parenting, even our best ideas don’t always work. What do you do when you hit another wall with your child?
You get back up and go at it again.
Parenting is all about trial and error, working at it from one another, then backing up and trying a different angle until it works. You may need to adjust your methods, get advice from an outsider on where you are going wrong, or start being more consistent in your actions, but whatever you do, don’t give up!
Here’s the truth: parenting is a marathon.
A non-runner doesn’t instantly become a marathoner overnight. Training, work, pain, time, exhaustion and feelings of defeat are all part of the process to gain strength to run a race. In order to become strong, we have to go through the hard stuff.
Parenting is just like training for a race… it’s hard work. It involves a choice. We can choose to run or not to run. However, in parenting you don’t get to choose if difficult things will come your way. Difficult times will come. Your kids will test and push you. But, it is through the difficult times that your muscles are stretched and strengthened. No wonder it seems painful! What you find in the end is that you will have become a stronger woman and a more enduring mother.
I love what Paul says in Galatians 6:9:
“Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
- Galatians 6:9 -
He challenges us to not to become weary in doing good. Think about ALL the good you are doing as a mom! Think of how you are providing for your child, loving your child, disciplining your child when needed, teaching them about God, what is right and wrong in this world, and what God says about it all. Moms, you are laying a foundation for your child, and that is a good thing. Do not grow weary, even though you can be frustrated and tired. Paul urges us to keep going - just like the marathon runner. He says, “at the proper time we WILL reap a harvest IF we do not give up!”
Moms, this job isn’t easy! It’s honestly the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I’m a better, stronger woman because I am a mom. So, when you're at the end of your rope and want to throw in the towel, remember these things:
When you hit yet another wall with your child, remember: parenting is all about trial & error. Think about another approach you can take next time, but don't be so hard on yourself.
In order for us to become stronger, we must go through hard things - including parenting challenges! Reach out to your Heavenly Father when you are frustrated and exhausted… He will give you the strength you need to continue this race of motherhood.
Cling to Galatians 6:9. Remind yourself daily that good WILL come when you don't give up on what God has called you to.
To the Exhausted Single Mom...
click below for some encouragement!
MEET THE AUTHOR
Karen Stubbs is an author, speaker, podcaster, and mother to four adult children. In 2011, she founded the ministry Birds on a Wire to equip mothers so they can parent with confidence.
When Karen was a young mom, her husband was often away from home serving as a fighter pilot during Operation Desert Storm. During those years, Karen grew in her reliance on God. Today, Karen is passionate about challenging moms to invite God into their journey of motherhood.
Birds on a Wire reaches tens of thousands of moms each month through their podcast, Wire Talk, which answers practical questions about the everyday difficulties moms face.
WHO WE ARE
The Life of a Single Mom is a national, faith-based, nonprofit that exists to see that no single mom walks alone. To date, the organization has worked with hundreds of churches to start a single mom’s support group in cities throughout the U.S. and beyond, as well as having served hundreds of thousands of single mothers with a variety of programs. Offering a large array of books, curriculum, training materials, online instructional videos, podcasts, newsletters, life skills education, and more, TLSM is one of the largest single mom organizations in the U.S. The robust selection of single mom programs focus on empowering single moms to grow spiritually, emotionally, financially, and parentally through Single Mom University, Single Moms Across America, the National TLSM Single Moms Conference, boot camps, and a variety of other programs. For more information, visit thelifeofasinglemom.com.
