These pure and spontaneous pleasures are “patches of Godlight” in the woods of our experience. {C.S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm}
Five Minute Fridays have become “patches of Godlight” for me. In 5 minutes I tap-tap-tap out my spontaneous response to Lisa-Jo‘s prompt, and then leave it there for you; pure, raw and unedited. Reading how others respond to the prompt leaves me marveling at the creativity of God, shown through the complexity of His creation.
So, the rules are simple:
1. Write for five minutes straight without stopping, thinking or revising.
2. Link up your post at Lisa-Jo’s site.
3. Check out as many of the posts that others link up as you have time for.
Today’s prompt is “Motherhood Should Come With…”
GO:
After four children I know a lot about what motherhood requires. Although I’m no expert, I have opinions about the best swaddling blankets (Koala Baby waffle blankets from Babies R Us) and my favorite pacifiers (Nuk – latex).
My friend and neighbor is currently 9-1/2 months pregnant with her first baby. As I talk with her about onesies, medications, and babywraps I realize that there is one thing every new mother should not be without.
Other mothers.
We don’t always agree. Formula, breastfeeding. Cosleeping, crying it out. Cloth, disposable. Stay at home, work outside the home. There are a plethora of schools of thought on what’s best for a child and a parent. Really, doesn’t it all come down to the fact that we’re all trying to do our best?
We need each other. To reassure us that someday you won’t have to wipe anyone else’s bottom. To encourage when you’ve had 2 hours interrupted sleep for the third night in a row. To laugh with you when your toddler creates a mural of lipstick on your comforter, and to cry when you send your oldest off to Kindergarten.
Putting aside our differences, let us not forsake meeting with one another. At playgrounds, MOPs groups, PTA meetings and in our own living rooms. Being a mom can be isolating and all-consuming.
Motherhood should come with playdates for mommies.
STOP
Now it’s your turn! If you don’t have a blog, leave a comment below with what you think is a necessary tool for parenting.
Also, I don’t normally post on Sundays, but I would love it if you checked back here this Sunday. My mom will be guest posting on Mother’s Day! I’m so very excited about it!!!
0 Responses
These are my sentiments exactly. Too often we pin ourselves against each other when really we should all just give each other a hug, God knows we need it.
So true! When we focus on our differences, instead of the major things that bind us together, we limit ourselves as mothers. Each mother is different, and each child is different. I know I have a lot to learn still about parenting, even with four children! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Adriana. Happiest of Mother’s Days to you!!
Motherhood should definitely come with Mumma play dates.
I can hear your accent in that, Kay! 🙂 Haha! Have a fantastic Mother’s Day weekend!!
Yes and Amen!
My thought comes from being a single observing mothers and children.
I think the most important tools a mother can have is patience and a well-developed sense of humour.
A sense of humor is so important, Doug! I know I get myself into so much trouble when I begin to take myself too seriously. 🙂
I always love reading your five minute posts and today I learned some things we have in common. We both have four children and we both do MOPS! Great post. I can so very much relate!
It’s always nice to meet another crazy person…because we must be crazy to have four kids, right? 🙂 Thank you for your kind words, and I look forward to getting to know you better through the ensuing Fridays (and maybe other days too). 🙂
Thanks for sharing this! It’s so very true. We need each other and it can be very isolating. Happy Friday! I look forward to these all week!!
I am looking forward to spending more than five minutes with you in person in a few months! Love you friend! 🙂
How true this is. The commodity of reassurance from another mother, whether we do well, or fail at times, which is so part of the territory, always leaves hope impressions on our hearts. God is good to us. GRACE abounds.
Happy Mother’s Day Melissa!
Grace is necessary! 🙂 Hope you had a fantastic Mother’s Day, Dana! 🙂
motherhood should come with a housekeeper. Life with four kids would be so much easier without the added work of a house big enough for four kids, two dogs, and a husband who likes to leave his socks as gifts for the baby to put in his mouth all around the house
I was going to say this. My husband doesn’t know this yet, but as soon as I finish school and get a real job, the first thing I’m doing is finding a housekeeper.
I had a housekeeper come clean my house a few months after Silas was born…heaven!!! I would love to have that happen regularly. 🙂
Yes! That is exactly what motherhood should come with!
Hope you had a fantastic Mother’s Day, Jamie! 🙂
YES! My post today was somewhat similar yet I chose mentor instead of other mothers. We all need to stick together and encourage one another! This was beautiful!
I once heard a woman speaking about the importance of mentoring in the lives of women. She said that not only should a woman be mentored by someone ten years older than her, but she should in turn be mentoring a woman ten years younger than herself. I thought it was a wonderful piece of advice. 🙂
Love it, Melissa! And I wholeheartedly agree! I think variety of other mom’s is important, too. It’s good to get other perspectives. How else do we learn? We are different in our parenting styles, but I find talking/observing you helps encourage me to relax and enjoy flexibility. I wouldn’t get that if all my friends parented like I do.
I think motherhood should come with outstanding fatherhood. This may be controversial, but I know for myself, without the support and reinforcement from my hubby and the relationships he had with my children, I would fail. (Not every mother has this luxury, though, and I know they often do a good job of finding other support systems and people to be other role models for their children.) Bottom line, tying in with your original idea: we need support and encouragement. We can’t do this alone! 🙂
I am blessed to have Josh, because I can’t imagine doing all of this without him. In the years Janelle was a single mom, I was amazed at all she did. For those moms (and children), who don’t have a father in the home, I think it is vital that they have support from others. No one can do this thing on their own. Great point, Haley! 🙂
Every parent should be given a lifetime prescription for valium. 😉
Love it Melissa! Well written and yes, Mama’s should have other Mama’s! Thank you for sharing this…
Thanks for stopping by, Shanyn! I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!
I love where you went with this, Melissa! And, it’s so true. The other mommies in my life help me keep sane, inspire me to be better, and even help me get a break every now and then. Or, in your case, help me see the humor in it all! Happy Mother’s Day, friend!
Thanks, Keri! I hope you had a restful and entertaining Mother’s Day! 🙂
This is so very true! I’m thankful for the many ‘get out of jail free’ cards my husband gives so i can play with the moms who speak into my life. 😉 Um random, while typing this Madelyn just said, “Mommy, I’m practicing kissing for my wedding! Who wants to help?!” [off she goes chasing Bella, “okay, i won’t kiss you, i just want to spend time with you!!] oh goodness. i need mothers in my life to tell me my children are normal. please tell me that.
Your children are normal! 🙂 Check out this cute video someone shared on FB — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEN-kHe5o_Y&feature=youtu.be