When I began this blog, I wanted it to be a dedicated space to encourage other moms. A safe place where moms would see themselves in my writing. In hopes that they would feel heard, understood and empowered. Motherhood comes with its challenges. Being a woman comes with its challenges. Did you know living in the shadow of another woman is one of the reasons women say being a woman is difficult! If a large majority of us have lived our lives overwhelmed by feeling the need to live up to or be better than another woman. I’d hope we can take that stress out of motherhood by making fellow mothers feel like they are being cheered on even if they do things differently then us. By sharing encouragement, inspiration and empowering each other opposed to giving out “parenting advice”. I will share a short story with you to solidify my reasoning on Why you won’t find parenting advice on my blog.
STORY TIME
How it started
There was a woman in the local Target today standing in the far back corner of the store. She was going up and down the aisles looking at the bedding that was on sale. While she was pushing her cart her children walked beside her. She informed her children if they didn’t stay beside her and walked or ran off they would be placed in the cart. Essentially the freedom to walk would be taken away. The consequences of disobedience would be the removal of a privilege.
How its GOing
One of her children ran off after being called to “come here” multiple times. She quickly caught up with her child. Placed them in the cart seat and reminded them that it was the consequence of not following directions. Her child was not pleased and began to scream at the top of their lungs. Mind you both of her children are under the age of four. The screams of her children catch the attention of other mothers and even store management walks by.
How it ENDED
This woman attempted to hold her ground and follow through with what she told her children. Despite her child screaming “pick me up”, with tears streaming down her face. After a few minutes of trying to talk her toddler down, she finally picks up the child and feels defeated. She is unsure of what to do at this point. Her child stops screaming because they got their way. She feels slightly embarrassed about the scene that occurred and she no longer has the energy to look at the bedding. This mom was trying to be a woman of her word so her kids would understand she meant what she said. She was also trying to buy some bedding. This mom was unsure if she handled the situation the right way. This Mom was me.
REALITY CHECK
This is why you won’t find parenting advice on my blog. Day in and day out I am faced with unique challenges with my children. And every night I go to bed pondering on the thoughts of whether I made the right decisions or not! The amount of judgement I cast upon myself on a daily basis isn’t something I would wish for another. That’s why I tread lightly on holding fast to factual statement about “what to do so your child will do this” posts. For example I have one child who would care less about being placed in the cart if they didn’t listen. Then I have one who clearly cared a lot about losing the freedom to walk the store. So I chose not to give false hope based on the premise that your child is like mine because neither of my children are like the other!
What you will find on my blog
What you will find is encouragement. Some provoking thoughts on things I’ve done or been doing with my children. Those things I’m sharing are only because I’ve seen great results from it and if it is interesting to you, maybe you’ll want to implement it with your children too. The reality is there is no perfect blueprint to parenting that fits every child. Every child is different, every parent is different and ever circumstance is different for every family.And that my friends is why you won’t find parenting advice on my blog! So I encourage you to parent the best you can.
I hope you are encouraged, empowered and inspired when you read about how others do things but also know, no parent is perfect, no child is perfect. We are all growing and learning every step of the way, and that is okay. What you yesterday taught you, apply its lessons today.
Cheers to Parenting!
xx Classically Faith xx
Other posts you'll enjoy:
Teaching Daughters about Beauty
Keeping friends in the midst of Motherhood
