I know, so cliche.
But, true, right?
You’re probably checking to see if you are reading the right blog. You are. I have a wetbag full of cloth diapers needing to be washed and a basket of clean ones right in front of me needing to be put up. Yep, you’re in the right place.
But, I am more than cloth diapers. I am a mom just like you who needs someone to tell me that rashes, ammonia, leaking and stalking failure should not steal my joy!
My heart aches for those women who can’t have children of their own. Then I turn around and shoo mine away.
My heart breaks for those parents who silently pack up the newborn stash of cloth diapers because their baby didn’t get to come home with them. Then I complain about changing a poopy diaper.
I weep for those praying over an incubator for just one more day. Then I rush my children off to bed and get upset if they make a peep. As if my enjoyment doesn’t start until they’re in bed.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my children as much as any mother. It pains me to discipline them because those big eyes and soft skin make me want to melt. I look at pictures of them and think, “how could I ever be mad or annoyed or frustrated at this??!”
When I’m at my limit, and if I remember, I start tickling my kids till they’re kicking and giggling uncontrollably. How could I not shake my bad mood at the sound of laughter?
I have really tried to make an effort to be kind, loving and a model for righteous behavior. I want my children to look back when they are adults and recall the times I prayed with them, held their hand through a sibling squabble, taught them a new skill, cooked with them, played a game, SMILED!
Ugh, to smile is so simple yet it is so overlooked (by me!).
I know this sounds like a downer post but it is meant to be an encouragement to strive for more than mediocrity.
Most likely we are all “good” parents, but I want to be “the best” in my children’s eyes.
Does it really matter if I chose to cloth diaper my children because it’s healthier if I can’t manage to show them joy? A joyful parent trumps a grumpy cloth diaper parent any day.
Next time I’m feeling annoyed I will tell myself that in an instant all that is around me could be gone. It happens every day to families. Every moment we have is a gift I want to treasure.
Be sure and check out the brand new cloth diaper forum on All About Cloth Diapers!! http://www.allaboutclothdiapers.com/forum Have your questions answered quicker and develop close relationships with other cloth diaper moms!
Autumn is a wife, mother, homeschool teacher, friend and most important a follower of Christ.
Jessica Menon says
Thanks for this lovely post, Autumn. I lost my son over this past Christmas holiday at 20 weeks pregnant following a fatal trisomy 13 diagnosis. I’ve been completely broken by it and am thankful I have my healthy 15 month old daughter to keep me completely occupied and distracted. Just today I was starting to feel sorry myself and was frustrated with my cranky daughter who wouldn’t take a nap, and after she finally fell asleep I read your blog and my mood lightened. I am grateful I have her, crankiness and all, especially now after losing her brother. In fact, being buried in pooey cloth diapers and toddler tantrums is what keeps me going! Thanks for the perspective.
Autumn Beck says
Jessica, I can’t even begin to comprehend the sadness of losing a child. I am grateful that my post was able to encourage you. (((HUGS)))
Tegan says
Great post! I feel the same way (even down to the tickling them when I’m not in a good mood).
Now that we are most likely on our last baby, I try all the more to cherish every moment with them. I too strive to model righteousness to my children. Being a parent is a calling, a hard calling, but a rewarding calling.
I’m sure you are doing a great job with your kids! They look very happy in the pics. :) Keep up the great work!
Amanda says
Autumn, thanks so much, this means a lot! We have a child with Autism, and sometimes I become so stressed at things, I forget what a true blessing we have. Your words are very encouraging :-)
Tonya P says
Thanks for the good reminder Autumn!! I’ve been living one of those horrible reminders to enjoy every moment lately as I grieve for a friend who lost her baby in the 7th month! Oh how it pains me to think about that!!! And yet I have been smiling at my little guy more and hugging him more this week too.
Thanks for all you write and do love your resources.
Autumn Beck says
An older woman at church was telling me today about a friend who just lost their grandson in the 7th month of pregnancy :(
Jen H. says
I try to remember this also. I have an 18 month old and am 7 weeks along with the next one. We are soooo excited, but as with the first one, I am having terrible morning (all day) sickness and migraines. I remind myself this is a good sign and do have friends that were unable to conceive or keep a pregancy. I try to stay positive for my little guy and not blame my sickness on the baby so he won’t resent him/her. I can’t read messages like this enough to remind me to keep the joy and grace of God in my heart no matter what!
Daphne says
I have been thinking along those exact same lines this entire week as I struggle with the realization that I am not PERFECT, though I try so hard to be. My kids don’t need me to be perfect, they want me to be happy with them, to play with them, to have patience with them, not as you say, ‘shoo them away’ and be frustrated by their ever present needs that only mom can fulfill. Thank you for being real and honest. That is so hard to do…for me.
Autumn Beck says
It’s good for our children to see us as imperfect! And of course to explain to them that we are constantly striving to improve.
Marion says
Thank you for the reminder.
Sherry says
Thank you for the beautiful reminder. Sometimes i forget how magical a smile can be. Children are such a wonderful gift!
Jessie S. says
Such an awesome reminder. Thank you.
Tabitha says
Best post ever! We all need reminders. From the pictures, I feel the need to ask: Do you homeschool?
Autumn Beck says
We sure do :)
Tabitha says
That’s awesome! Now I feel like I can relate to you even more. We currently have 3 kids; 8, 3 (4 in April), and 14 months. We want 4 more eventually. I have often felt like I’m the only mom that feels guilty for needing time alone. I do love my children and couldn’t imagine life without them. I need to remember that more often.
Jen says
This post brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for the beautiful reminder of all the blessings we have.
Aimee says
Wow. This is exactly what I needed! It’s nice to know I’m not alone in this;-) Thanks!
Linda says
Autumn, Thank you so much for the beautiful post. Very well written! It is so easy to get lost in he mundane and loss sight of the miracles and joy all around us .
Rhonda says
Thanks for the reminder of how precious life truly is each day. It is too easy to take for granted that it will all be there always. We never know what life holds so it’s important to live each moment to it’s fullest. I am guilty as well of the things mentioned, but often times I have thought about what is important to me for my children….and the thing I want most for them is that they will look back on their childhood and smile at the memories. And for myself as well…I don’t want to be old and wish that I could go back and do it all differently. Thanks for your reminder that we all need to remember what’s important.
Autumn Beck says
You are right, I’d hate to look back with regret.
Tanya Apodaca Melby says
What a beautiful post and a great reminder thank you for this encouragement.
Blessing on you and your family!
Julie says
Like Monica, I rarely comment on any posts, not just yours :) But I felt compelled to do the same. You are so right that things can change in a heartbeat…I try to tell myself each day to be thankful for all that I have (which I am) and to deal with aggravating situations in a very calm manner as opposed to reacting with a raised voice…but I don’t always make it :) It’s so good to hear other mothers say the same…it’s reassuring and helps to encourage me to keep trying! Thank you for putting this out there, it does make a difference.
Julie
sonja lange says
Thanks for the gentle reminder – we all get frustrated and need to recharge and regroup – but their little smiles always warm my heart – I am so blessed.
Michelle W. says
An encouraging post indeed. Thanks for sharing!
MS says
great post! very true.
p.s. you’ve got a typo in the title….
Ranela says
You are a great mom! You are their best mom! They chose you before you knew them! They knew you’d be the best fit mother for them.
:) smile :)
I was suffering from ppd for a while and my son said, “you are so mean to me and you never smile at me”. That was a wake up call! I prayed! I make it a point to smile, say “i love you, I like you, and you’re important to me, I’m very proud of you”, and when I’m so mad (and I catch myself) I say “I love you, I love you, I love you”.
Thank you for this post! Thank you for all you do for us and most especially, your family.
Autumn Beck says
Oh wow, that must have been heartbreaking. I would have crumbled…and I have when one of my children points out that I’m always mad. Thankfully, we can change at that moment!
Sara Schultz says
I ditto what Monica said…..I needed this reminder. I recently started using a life coach: Jan Hoath: Nurture the Leader: she has taught me so much and her goal is to teach you to become the best possible version of yourself by nurturing the leader within. I think you have reached that point. You don’t judge, you are humble, you are nurturing, and you lead by example. YOU GO GIRL. Thanks for the peaceful and gentle reminder that every moment is a gift and we should live each moment as if it were our last.
Monica Barrientes says
Autumn, thank you so much for posting this!
I am subscribed to your posts, and I read most, if not all, of them, but hardly comment. But this time I need to comment.
I needed this. I needed this reminder. I needed to know I am not the only mom who goes through this, who waits impatiently for bedtime, and who feels like I forget to smile at my own children!
Thank you for this encouraging post, and for putting a great perspective on things! <3
Autumn Beck says
You are so welcome! Thank you for reading and encouraging me!