Yesterday was one of "those" days. If you're a mama, you know what I mean. If you're not, well let's just say I won't be winning "Mom of the Year" anytime soon.
Ben was having a bad day and it seemed like it just kept getting worse and worse. Disobedient, meltdown after meltdown and then he refused to nap. I had reached the end of my rope by 2:00. Without a nap, his evening was just as miserable as the daytime. I was ready to grab my Nutella and spoon and hide out in my closet watching my favorite show. I went to bed with my emotions extra high (thank you pregnancy) and began to search articles on Pinterest about failing as a mom (yes, it's low I know).
Woke up this morning still feeling down on myself but determined to make today better.
Donald and Brayden headed out to watch a movie and get a few things done at church, so it was just me and little boys. We did our "normal" morning thing and then headed to the library for story-time. I noticed that Ben was extra happy and more content then he had been in the last few days. Got home and began to fix lunch and something occurred to me.
Ben THRIVES on routine (not a rigid schedule but the same day to day). If I think back, his worst days always come after several days of things being different. He needs to know what to expect.
The last two weeks have been anything but normal, Brayden is home for summer, VBS, and well, we've just been BUSY. So when Donald and Brayden headed out the door this morning it was like he breathed a sigh of relief- normal.
Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE having Brayden home, he is such a helper to me and we miss him when he's at school and I love that Daddy has been around this week during the day and that we've been getting extra family time.
But a day of "normal" was just what Ben needed and maybe even mama. Ben is so much like his daddy that I sometimes forget that he can be just like me too (his need for a routine...he gets that from me). He just needs sometime to adjust to our summer routine and maybe a little more patience from his mama to help him get through the days when things aren't quite as he expected them to be.
Our relationship with Christ is kinda similar. We have days when everything seems like chaos (and to little Ben, lately has been chaotic) but when we rest in Him, we can endure the chaos-ness of motherhood and figure out ways to adjust to a new normal. And He has more than enough patience to help me through these days. So, I'm no mom of the year, but I'm also not failing.
Oh and both boys are napping and I'm peacefully watching my favorite show and eating a Nutella and peanut butter sandwich (not in the closet, I'm too pregnant for that).
