I don’t know what is worse or most exhausting: the emotional dilemmas of a teenager, the beginning stages of hormones for a tween, or the rambunctious behavior of a toddler. They are each exhausting in their own right. I’m not sure if I can keep up. And let’s not forget that each child has his/her own time zone.
My teenager does not get up and start moving until noon. My tween loves to slowly wake up around 8:00 am, and my toddler…well, he is up at the crack of dawn rearing to go in Mama’s car. What makes it more fun is that by the time I’m dressed and meet the needs of my toddler (i.e. playing with him, feeding him and dressing him) my tween finally gets dressed.
Once lunch time is over, I need to put the toddler down for a nap and the teen finally wakes up ready to start the day. I, on the other hand, am about to fall to the floor with exhaustion. So I ask myself, who am I and how do I parent each one? Sometimes arguing with a teen is a lot like trying to get the two year old to stop throwing a tantrum.
God says that we should be content in all areas of our lives. Okay, how can I be content in all areas when I do not know myself which area I’m supposed to be in? We are to be joyful because we have hope, and we are to pray at all times. When I’m pulled in all directions from the teen who needs issues discussed NOW to the toddler that needs a toy fixed NOW, I need to take a moment to pray and look to God for hope and help!
The other option is to just run to my closet and collapse before my brain explodes!
Memory Verse:
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
– Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Prayer Prompt:
“I feel torn and stretched in so many directions that I do not know which way to go. Help me in the midst of my stress, to look to You. Give me strength to handle the areas where I feel pulled in. Thank You that I can run to You for wisdom and peace. Give me the strength and self control in…”
Contributing Writer:
Tiffany Locke
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