There are seasons of motherhood that bring both joy and challenges. As a mom of four, I have been through many different seasons. With three boys who are 22 months apart, I had great sadness in saying bye to the baby years. This sadness grew as the thought of sending my twins to kindergarten grew closer.
I am a stay-at-home mom, and I kept thinking what’s next?
I knew at that moment our family wasn’t complete. But I still had many questions if having a fourth child was right for us. The boys are 8, 6, 6. Did we want to start the baby phase again? Will it be challenging with the age gap between the kids? What will the boys think of a new baby? After many, many months our sweet baby girl was born, and we were all ecstatic.
What I’m Learning
So, what is this season of motherhood teaching me? GRACE. I am giving myself grace. With four kids it is all sorts of craziness. But I have learned it is ok to cut myself some slack. Not everything needs to be perfect 100% of the time.
It is ok to sit on the floor and enjoy time with my baby even though there is a pile of dishes and laundry.
Grace reminds me house chores don’t need to be my number one priority. My priority is being present with my kids.
I look back at the days when my boys were younger, and it feels like a blur. The age gap between them was small, and I felt I didn’t take the time to just sit and enjoy the moment I was in. Instead, I was washing bottles, rotating the laundry, and adding things to my never-ending to-do list. Now the boys are all in school, and I have learned to take the pressure off myself. I am working on letting go of perfectionism.
There was so much stress I put on myself to be at every function for my boys, say yes to every volunteer activity, always go out and enjoy girls’ night. But I have learned it is OK to miss an activity, say no, and have a night in instead of going out.
I make time for myself. This may be waking up early in the morning to get in a workout or the second when my husband walks in the door, but I do it.
I do it for my little loves because taking care of myself is taking care of others. When I feel good, I want to do good.
