Unsolicited Advice for Myself Long Ago

First of all, it is okay to sit down to read this letter. It is a letter, not a text. So take a minute out of your hectic life. You are even allowed to drink a cup of coffee or a spot of tea. My word, you have permission to eat chocolate!!

Mommy of Baby– Breathe. Don’t worry that the house is a mess. It most likely won’t be messy in twenty years. Enjoy your baby. Hold him when he needs you. I guarantee that you won’t be holding him in your arms like that very long. He will be down wanting to explore every. single. thing.

Mommy of Toddler– Explore with the little guy. Take him out in the yard on that beautiful autumn day and see his expression when he picks up that leaf. Treasure those moments. So what if you didn’t get dinner started? That pizza place still delivers, and you have a coupon!

Momma of Small Boy– Don’t keep him so busy with “schoolwork” or other things that you don’t enjoy “free” time. Every moment does not have to be scheduled. Enjoy the moment that he finds that fishing worm. Look at it through his eyes. If you think it is gross that is okay, but don’t shy away from it or necessarily let him know you are cringing inside.

Mom of Older Boy– Please learn how to play soccer, whiffle ball, football, video games, draw pictures and anything else he enjoys. And knowing the rules helps too. It keeps you from embarrassing him in his teen and preteen years. Someday you won’t be able to do any of those things anyway, so you might as well do them while you physically can. Being a “tomboy” will impress them, at least at this point in time.

Mom of Preteen– Don’t give up and throw in the towel. Be firm, yet love unconditionally. Listen and don’t react. Don’t be surprised by anything or any action. Remember they are between being a grown man and little boy. Don’t expect many public displays of affection. In fact, you might not get any reciprocal hugs for a while. But he will come to you when he wants to know about girls and decides you might know a thing or two on the subject.

Mother of Teen– Hold on to that towel and don’t throw it in yet. In fact, don’t throw it in at all. Hang in there. The frontal lobe of their brains has yet to develop, and it will be most obvious right now. The most important thing to remember is to listen. Be available at midnight, or 2:00 in the afternoon. Put aside whatever you thinks important when they start talking and don’t ask them to wait a minute. You actually might miss the moment. And remember, they are becoming men and that “black and white” characteristic is developing in earnest; they might not talk again for a few days.

Mom of Adult Man– Remember, no more parenting…more advising when asked. The concern and prayers are as alive now as they were when they were little. You just can’t “kiss it and make it go away” anymore. They become a little protective of you, like when they were little. They also hug again…in public if necessary. They remind you that they will be picking out your nursing home. They tell you things that they did when they were younger that you actually thought you had handled. Turns out they might have been a bit sneaky. They will laugh…….So will you…because they don’t have kids themselves yet. Teehee.

“All your children shall be taught by the Lord and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13

Now pick a stage..enjoy it while you can. You will never truly be prepared for the next one. But one thing is for certain, you are raising men…and that is huge.

Cover them in prayer.

Always.

In Christ Alone