On Sundays I teach the girls ages 16-18 at church. This week's lesson was on Being Dependable. Sometimes I have real life experiences to share, but most weeks they're not as poignant as this one.
I have mixed emotions about my last little one venturing into panties. On one hand I want to do a victory dance, on the other it just means she's not listening when I tell her to stop growing up.
But all sentiment aside I know I've told Maiya a billion times that she's not big enough to take care of herself after she uses the potty. I'm constantly saying: "You have to call for Mommy. I promise I will come when you call." Despite my warnings she's very independant. On Wednesday after giving her a timeout for not calling for me and making a little mess, I promised her again--"Call for me, I will help you."
Friday, I was talking to Ward's sister Katrina on the phone. I never get to talk to her, so I really didn't want to be disturbed. The girls were playing. At one point I walked past the bathroom and saw Maiya on the potty. I said, "Call Mommy when you're done." Of course I kept talking and forgot all about her. I did the dishes and swept the floor. I could hear the girls at the back of the house--playing--I thought. I heard Maiya call Mommy! But she always calls for me; I didn't respond. I heard her calling louder and louder, but still, I was enjoying my conversation. I even made a comment to Katrina about how much drama there is at our house when I heard Maiya shout a couple of times. Suddenly MaLeah ran into the kitchen screaming MOMMY! MAIYA! "Wow," I told Katrina," They're kind of out of control today." You can imagine what I found when I reached the bathroom. I hung up, washed her and the whole bathroom up, wanted to kick myself and then hugged Maiya when she said, "I yelled Mommy, but you were busy." Ugh!
What did the girls at church think? After the lesson (which they referred to not-so-lovingly as the GUILT lesson--for other reasons than the potty parable) they insinuated that maybe this lesson was more for me than it was for them.
Hum.
.jpg)
8 comments:
Ah, the life lessons of a mommy... children are just the best teachers. Such a sweet post and that picture is priceless. haha. I had no idea that you had a blog so I'm so excited! I think of you and your family often so it'll be nice to stay in contact this way.
Blessings to you and your newest queen on "the throne"! On the subject of potty training PARENTs...I could write volumes (of what NOT to try). On the subject of letting your "baby" grow up, I could cry an ocean (Maren is in kindergarten!) On MOTHER GUILT RHYMES--well, they're not as enjoyable as Mother Goose, yet they leave the reader with an empowering desire to improve. That which promotes change, usually is dovetailed with something that stings a little...which isn't ALL bad. When mammas "get stuck" in the mother guilt it's not pretty! So, love yourself, because let's face it, you're doing your best 98.74% of the time! Even after hard lessons, when we snuggle up with our kids...when they were babies or still today...we know it's ALL WORTH IT. Sometimes the lessons we learn are WORTH the poopie finger paints. It seems to pack a more powerful (or pungent) punch. Don't you think? Love your perspective and attitude Anne!
We are going through the same potty training thing at our house and a certain little someone can make quite the messes if I don't get in there right away! This lesson was for me too! Thanks for sharing.
You crack me up! I find that my lessons are always filled with parables from my life. A few weeks ago I taught a lesson on lying and started off the lesson with a story about how I used to trap the cats in a cage. I thought it was brilliant, my girls on the other hand looked at me like I was some psycho hillbilly. Oh well. Love you! BTW did you get our message today? Bella has listened to the msg you guys sent the other day, oh about 60 times.
Anne, so fun to be with you guys on Sat. Your girls are darling and very grown up. I am totally impressed that Maiya can get her own pull up and PJ's on. We are a little behind over here, although I know Julia is totally ready for that step, I am not.
You know, I've never beforefound such meaning in the potty. Even when I was training my own, no-longer little ones. Enjoyed your blog.
I am the worlds worst potty trainer, so I'm very impressed with your diligence.
Funny potty stories seem to be running in our family.
Post a Comment