We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
It’s a mom problem
Are you tired of blowing it with your kids? Frustrated by your quickly flaring temper due to seemingly minor annoyances? Do you wonder why you have such a low tolerance to interruptions in your schedule?
Girl can relate.
In my “Gigi” state of life, I could chalk it up to menopause. That would be a valid excuse except – I’ve always struggled.
>In the infant stage – waking all hours of the night and surviving long, weary days.
>In the toddler years – struggling to gain the upper hand with the kid who refused to eat or blatantly pooped her pants during potty-training.
>In the grade school years, navigating ballgames, homework, and work schedules.
>The teen years (in the words of Jen Hatmaker, “bless”), navigating drama, keeping a pulse on relationships and possible hidden activities (we never did this when we were teens, right?).
>The releasing years of college, anguishing over when to step in and when to let them fall in their own pile.
I’ll admit, I thought I had the temper licked during the better part of the last phase. We’re talking around a seven year stretch.
Enter: the The Two-Year-Old (aka Tiny Tornado).
The cutest, smartest, most strong-willed tiny being to enter my life to date.
He makes his mother pale in comparison. (I love you, my eldest – you are the joy of my life, but even you know it’s true. Congratulations on receiving my “blessing” of your teenage years. Bless.)
Don’t misunderstand. I love this child with all my being. He and Gigi (pronounced, “Schzi-Schzi” by his royal highness) are tight. As in morning cheerios-and-milk-sharing tight.
(Just the other day he refused to eat at home because he wanted cheerios at “Schzi-Schzi’s housh”).
He has my heart.
Even so, I’ve had a few out of body experiences (read: flaring temper-where-did-you-come-from-I-haven’t-seen-you-since-2008).
Don’t get me wrong. We’re not talking child abuse here. Although I could see if left unchecked it could go south quickly.
Here’s the scenerio (see if you’re picking up what I’m laying down):
The Scenario
Rise with a to-do list in your head a mile long.
Fix breakfast, send hubs off to work, wipe down counters and load dishwasher, pop a load in the laundry, glance at your email.
While you’re distracted, toddler grabs a half-full cup of milk off the counter (which you did not realize he can now reach – how did he get that tall overnight?!) and dumps contents down his shirt and onto the floor you just mopped yesterday (in your 10 minutes of “free time”).
It wouldn’t be so bad, except this is his third offense of the morning. (The first two you blew off because you were determined to make this day better – aka your attitude.)
But this. This is IT.
You absolutely can not handle this last straw. Clearly, you are entitled here. Plus, he needs to know you mean business. He is going to never do this again. He.will.obey.
After you erupt all over your toddler, your kitchen, and any other kid who dares enter at that moment, you lock yourself in the bathroom, crossing your fingers no other catastrophes occur during your 5 minute siesta, and you
...have yourself a melt-down.
Welcome to motherhood. You have arrived at reality. The question is, what are you going to do about it?
All moms struggle with frustrations. Join MTO for encouragement and support! Click To Tweet
Enter the MTO challenge
I have more to share with you, mom. I’ve been in your shoes. In fact, I am in your Sperrys/Nikes/Toms/Uggs/5-dollar-TJ Maxx-specials right now.
It’s BAAAAAAAACCCCCKKKKKKK!
This is not going down the same way. I’m on the cusp of something good.
Something helpful. Something GRACE-filled.
The MTO challenge is about moms coming together in support of one another. Sharing frustrations, failures, goals, Scripture pillars, and encouragement.
MTO is a closed Facebook group, full of moms just like you, participating in a thriving, supportive community.
So what do you say, mom? Are you ready for the MTO Challenge? In the words of Thomas Edison:
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just
One More Time.
Join the MTO (Mom Time Out) challenge if you're tired of losing it with the fam. Click To Tweet
Let’s get a leg up on this frustration thing, shall we? Here’s how to join:
Click on this link to request to join. Easy Peasy!
Mom, you can do ALL things through Christ, and this is the year to conquer the root of the temper. I’ll be praying for you – you can pray for me too, ok?
See you soon!
*Image attribution: Photo credit: ©Depositphotos.com/cteconsulting
Linking with:
Oh I don’t know if I’m ready to become a Gigi, good thing my kids are still teen! but yes, I can relate to needing to Keep. My. Cool. Like when they start fighting over the silliest things… May the Lord use you greatly in 2016, Ruthie! You have so much to offer other moms!
Good thing God gives us what we need just when we need it (and not before)! Hope you have had a terrific Christmas break with your fam all home! The pictures have been fun to see! Let me know if you want to join – no pressure, just sharing if you want and gleaning! Lord bless you in 2016 as well, my sweet friend, women respond to your wise words!
I’m looking forward to being a part of this group! What a great idea. I love learning and getting encouragement from other moms who are in the thick of it. -Jessica, Sweet Little Ones
Ah Jessica, I’m so happy you’re joining us! Encouraging young moms has been my passion for a long time – if only there had been a group like this when mine were little!
Wow, Ruthie! What a great idea! Fixin’ to sign up!
Awesome sauce!!! So glad to have another CBB buddy on board! Sent you an invite! 🙂
What a precious way to encourage one another to hold fast and love well in the midst of the mommy days.
Thanks, Ginger! It has been a real encouragement in many ways. Feel free to join us!
This is a great idea! Thank you for putting it together and sharing it with all of us! 🙂 Blessings!
Thanks, Stefani! Feel free to join if you’d like some encouragement and support!
You hit another homerun Ruthie!!! I love how much you want to help mommas who are in the midst of motherhood! I will be sharing on Facebook + Pinterest!!!
Thanks, sweetie! Ahh, it’s just my passion. It’s what I’ve been doing in my personal relationships for years, so to be able to help other moms on perhaps a larger scale is such a sweet fulfillment of a God’ given goal! Love you, girl!