Keeping It Real-Summer 2016

It’s  summer 2016, and the bar is already unattainable.

​Expectations – at least played out on the internet – are grossly out of proportion with my reality.

I’m stressed, and it hasn’t even started. The irony lies in how the bar is being played this year. Evidently, we moms are in a competition to see who’s the most relaxed. The most laid back.

The trophy goes to the mom who schedules the least and soaks in the most.

I see pictures of this mom. She’s in a field with her children – green grass and daisies.  The whole nine yards. And the kids are climbing on her. She’s laughing; somehow this is funny. She’s super chill because it’s the summer of Laid Back Mom.
No GMOs, no shoes, and nothing on the docket but F-U-N. All day, every day.

And I’m just confused. I see these pictures and read the articles, and I’m like, who’s doing this lady’s laundry? Is she hiring out the dishes?  But, none of it matters. Relaxed mom has no worries. Her kids don’t fight or bicker because everyone’s relaxed. Too relaxed to feel anything but being awesome.

Go climb a tree, kids. I’m going to sit under this tree and read my novel.

Who are these people? Bigger question:What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with my kids? Why am I not feeling relaxed? My kids don’t play ball. We don’t do summer camps. We’re not overscheduled. But, there is stuff to do, and I’m tired. I read these articles and question my entire strategy. The bar’s too – what is it?  Low or high?  Either way, it’s unattainable.  So, I just say, forget it.

Go watch some TV, kids. I’m going back in the closet.

Can we just be real? My kids don’t sleep. I’m tired. They fight. I don’t always tack the “please” onto “clean your room.” And that’s okay. Parenting is hard work, and often, I’m stuck feeling like I’m the only one who’s struggling.


Grace shines when we shelve the façade. When I ask you how you’re doing, tell it like it is. I promise, it will bring relief to your soul as well as mine. One way we can exemplify humility to one another is by being honest.

Our ultimate goal isn’t raising carefree kids.

And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.  (Micah 6:8)

We want our children to know and emulate His love, forgiveness, sacrifice. We need to teach them how to treat others fairly and mercifully and model true humility by serving others and putting our own desires on hold. This is unnatural behavior and requires teaching and instruction and hard work.

So, it’s right there in front of us: Summer, 2016.

Relax and teach.

Enjoy and train.

Love.

Be honest.

Do the dishes.

Give your children opportunity to serve.

Don’t feel like every day’s gotta bust the awesome meter.

Keep it real, and don’t forget the goal.

Verse of the Day:  
And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.  (Micah 6:8)


Prayer:  
Father, thank You for summer. Thank You for long days, lightening bugs, and these precious children. Thank You for shining grace into the days and spilling it into our moments. Forgive me for losing track of the goal, sometimes, and please draw my focus back to You. Help me to remember the goal and grant me wisdom as I seek to point my children to You each day in all things. Thank You for being You and for loving each of us so well. In Christ and His mercy, Amen

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