I worked through the 2018 family budget this evening, assigning values to line items like birthdays, outings, holidays, etc. By each birthday, I listed out the ages my children will turn this year- 15,13,11,10,7- and then stared at the numbers in disbelief. Where did the time go?
Time is Flying By
How is it possible that my children are no longer “little” children, but teens and tweens and a little girl who will always be my “baby” but is certainly no longer a baby at all? I think I still have them all trapped in my mind as small children; it is hard to imagine my oldest being just three years away from college.
How do I release them- free them- to become the young adults they are already well on their way toward becoming? How do I redeem what little time I have left to undo the mistakes I have made along the way?
Tears sprang to my eyes at the realization that these years are indeed flying by, just like everyone said they would. I want to go back, to try again, to do things better and cherish the time I’ve had with them, instead of whiling or wishing it away. I want to imprint grace and love and acceptance on their hearts instead of criticism and judgment and neglect. I want to take back the countless hours I have put my phone ahead of them, failing to look into their eyes as they shared their stories and dreams and endless chattering with me.
No Going Back
So many “I want to’s” I can’t even begin to list them all. And, the awful truth of it is that I can’t go back. I can’t change anything. I can only live in this moment and look ahead to determine how I can make the most of the short time I have left with them under my roof.
Today, I met with a friend, and we were comparing pictures of our short hairstyles from a few years ago. She showed me a family Christmas photo from 2014- just three, short years ago- and I couldn’t help but look at her four children in awe. So much has changed in their lives since then, but in this one picture, their childish innocence remained, with sweet smiles and carefree, goofy expressions.
My heart ached for my friend, who now deals with teenage angst and childish rebellion. I encouraged her to look again at those young faces, hoping they would come to mind when she returned home to the difficult situations she faces with their older selves today. It is something I need to do, too.
Looking for the Good
I need to remember that the exasperating, infuriating, button-pushing young people living in my home are the babies I carried inside of me and fed from my own body. They are the toddlers who delighted and charmed me with every new milestone; the preschoolers who amazed me with their capacity to learn and embrace the world around them.
My children are the undeserved, gracious gifts God has given me to bring Him glory. I see it when they bring Him glory in their joyous worship, in their small kindnesses, in their free forgiveness, in their helpful ways, in their desire to know Him and to share Him with others.
Another friend who is unexpectedly and delightedly pregnant (as she approaches 40) shared that her doctor did a blood test from which they can extract the babies’ blood from her own and examine the chromosomes to determine the gender and any other pertinent information. The DNA from our babies remains inside of us even after they leave our bodies. My children will forever be a part of me, both emotionally and physiologically. (Well, I’m not entirely certain about the latter, but you get the idea.)
Ways I Can Improve
What am I getting at here? I guess I am coming to a realization about some changes I want to make moving forward into this and the next few years. I am resolving to:
- Praise my children individually, at least once per day. I will look for the good and acknowledge it.
- Stop what I am doing and look my children in the eye when we are speaking to each other (or make arrangements to do so as soon as possible- and not forget!)
- See my children for who they really are and rejoice instead of seeing all the things that I think need improving or changing.
- Give my children the freedom to grow and become instead of holding them trapped in time in my mind.
- Be intentional about playing, reading, listening, and being present with my children.
- Be open to change and growth- both God changing/growing me as a parent and my children changing/growing into young adults.
- Let the short-term annoyances and frustrations go in order to advance the relationship with my children. As a father of adult children said to me tonight, “Don’t sweat the small stuff. Focus on what really matters.”
Hidden Treasures
This parenting stuff is hard, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any easier as they get older. My past mistakes are reflected in their surface behaviors and imperfections, but the layers underneath reveal the true treasure of who they are becoming. As their mom, it is my delight to unearth that treasure with each interaction I have with them, by God’s grace.
What changes can you make in your daily interactions to see and draw out the best in your children? Share your ideas in the comments below.
Heidi says
This is really beautiful, Aimee, and has encouraged me on this Mother’s Day weekend to be intentional and present. What a gift. Thank you!
Aimee Mae Wiley says
Thanks, Heidi! Happy Mother’s Day to you, my friend!
Nancy says
Oh- I remember those baby days like they were yesterday! Our “littles” are definitely growing up! And I can feel the winds of change in my clan too! Good reminders😄.
Ellie Hale says
Right on cue! Thank you for this! You are loving your kids well and I will pray that you and I too keep our eyes on Him as we seek to honor Him as we press on in this race (against time) of motherhood.
Aimee Mae Wiley says
I like that, “race against time of motherhood.” That’s exactly what it feels like!
Priscilla Bettis says
“. . . To undo the mistakes I’ve made along the way.” I know that feeling, but my now-adult daughter says she doesn’t remember me making mistakes. She holds in her mind an overall impression of me as a mother, and (whew!) it’s good. So I guess the old adage, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” is wise advice.
Your resolutions are good! I especially like the one about looking your children in the eye. That’s important in our house, too, and I think it helps with communication (both ways).
Thanks for sharing. (And oh what a cute photo of your kids!)
Aimee Mae Wiley says
Thanks, Priscilla! I hope my kids see their growing-up experience through rose-colored glasses, too! 🙂