When my oldest was 1, we went together to a level 1 formation course for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. During the opening prayer, we could all hear him wailing in the childcare room upstairs. I hadn't hardly left him up to this point, so I then learned, the Lord is THEIR (insert child's name) Shepherd. It's a prayer I've gone back to over and over the last 7 years. (Last night, said child also told me I was the meanest mom and he didn't love me. So I must be doing something right?). haha
We do have a bedtime, but it isn’t rigid. We were definitely up past bedtime last night chatting with family who had come to visit, but I fully intend to get us all back on a good schedule tonight.
And yes, we want to be able to control the pain and sadness, but we can’t. One of our sons has had multiple surgeries- all beyond our control. One of my goals for him has been to learn to stay calm and polite despite his pain and discomfort. To learn to allow his body to heal and to take the next step as it comes. He has always blown me away in those situations. He handles them so well, and while I would never wish four surgeries in five years on my child, the skills he has learned through those experiences will be important to his whole life. And the accommodations his siblings have needed to make during his healing process have been good for them as well.
And I am a definite fan of apologizing when I mess up. Modeling forgiveness and reconciliation isn’t something I associate with my parent’s generation, but it is very important to me. I mess up. I am also a fallen human being just like they are.
When my oldest was 1, we went together to a level 1 formation course for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. During the opening prayer, we could all hear him wailing in the childcare room upstairs. I hadn't hardly left him up to this point, so I then learned, the Lord is THEIR (insert child's name) Shepherd. It's a prayer I've gone back to over and over the last 7 years. (Last night, said child also told me I was the meanest mom and he didn't love me. So I must be doing something right?). haha
I saw the title and opened this so fast.
Love it, Meredith. Thanks for writing.
💕💕💕💕💕
Thank you for reading, Leah!
Forwarded this to the grandparents and my (non-Catholic) spouse. A gut punch of accuracy in each paragraph. Thank you for writing.
Thank you for sharing it, Kira! That's an honor!
Latin for “My bad”
We do have a bedtime, but it isn’t rigid. We were definitely up past bedtime last night chatting with family who had come to visit, but I fully intend to get us all back on a good schedule tonight.
And yes, we want to be able to control the pain and sadness, but we can’t. One of our sons has had multiple surgeries- all beyond our control. One of my goals for him has been to learn to stay calm and polite despite his pain and discomfort. To learn to allow his body to heal and to take the next step as it comes. He has always blown me away in those situations. He handles them so well, and while I would never wish four surgeries in five years on my child, the skills he has learned through those experiences will be important to his whole life. And the accommodations his siblings have needed to make during his healing process have been good for them as well.
And I am a definite fan of apologizing when I mess up. Modeling forgiveness and reconciliation isn’t something I associate with my parent’s generation, but it is very important to me. I mess up. I am also a fallen human being just like they are.