I was told many years ago when my husband and I first embarked on this parenting journey together that I would love each stage our children grew through. Being someone who gravitated toward younger children, I wasn’t so sure if that truth would be “true” for me.
I’m so glad I was wrong. I truly do love each and every stage our children experience and being able to go through the stages three times, with three different personalities, is so much fun.
Spoken from the Heart: Parenting 101 Vol. 5 was written during the stage when all three children were in school full time. At one point we had a kindergartener, middle schooler, and high schooler all in the same year. Talk about shifting from asking questions about new friends being made at snack time to questions about midterms and changing classes to encouragement during chemistry and geometry classes.
Day 8 is a great reminder about how having your BEST day ever is really a matter of perspective, but probably my favorite story in this volume is Day 11 when we had a spontaneous picnic at the zoo … that turned out to be the “sandwichless picnic.”
This was also the period in our family’s ministry where I finally had to realize our life was chaotic and would remain that way for a number of years … I could embrace it or I could continue to fight it. If you read Day 22, you will find out what I chose.
This picture was captured during our youngest’s last year home before starting full-time school. It reminds me of the innocence kids possess as well as the last year before our family life revved up with activities, schedules, and multiple commitments. It was the year we transitioned from no more naps to the next stage which has been equally as fun, equally as challenging, equally as rewarding.
I pray this volume will speak to your heart as you experience the normal changes life brings as our families grow older and schedules change.
What stage in life are you currently experiencing? An empty nest? A house full of noise and chaos? What blessings do you find during this stage? Please share by hitting reply. I’d love to continue this conversation with you.