Whole Parenting Family

Five Going on Fifteen

wpf

Somehow this last six months has felt like a shift in our family. SuperBoy isn’t a little kid anymore. He’s in a whole different place, so I’m in a whole different place as a mom. Yes, he still has epic clashes with me and trouble listening at times, but his maturity is sometimes (sometimes) amazing.

His wings are growing. Banging. Bashing around, looking for higher heights to leap from, and leading the way for the little kids to want and be and do more and more.

Case in point. The other day, for the first time in months, SuperBoy was the gentle big brother I know is in there somewhere. He changed into his play clothes in the morning without a fight. He let his sister play with his legos without apoplectic screeches. He spoke in the cutest LOUD SLOW BABY TALK to the toddler who understood him perfectly and let us know with lots of “BABA” and “JEE-JEE” responses. {that’s my dad’s name and Jesus, FYI}. His idea for Lent? Offering up all treats and adding in doing all his morning chores before breakfast.

WHO IS THIS KID?

I thought about these posts I had written throughout the years:

big boy battles,

 

taming your toddler’s tantrums,

feeling powerless with your preschooler,

power parenting: why force & fear don’t work, 

helping emotional boy find his voice & ears.

He’s growing up.

That’s my dad’s dresser from his childhood we’ve repainted around those 50’s decals a few times for our babes. 

wpf

Lent starts on Wednesday. Our Scripture Study that’s so basic and so guilt-free will start up. Waiting in the Word has been, for me, baby steps to starting more of a prayer life than HELP, GOD! It’s doable for a few minutes a few days a week, or even all in one felled swoop on a weekend afternoon. It’s easily on your phone or computer. I just wanted something that could hold my hand through Advent and Laura & Nancy made that happen.

If you are thinking about doing something for Lent, doing something, not just offering something up, come and join us in our facebook group after you buy your bundle. We talk, we support each other, we journey towards a deeper faith together. And I need that. We’re being pro-active. I need that, too.

Raising my kids has been more transforming to me than I thought. I thought, oh, yes, I’ll learn how to feed them properly and change diapers. I had no idea I’d be explaining miscarriages and racism and outer space. And choosing good and love over being selfish, that part I’m teaching and I’m trying to do.

wpf

4 Comments

  1. Mary on February 6, 2016 at 6:33 pm

    Look at those little piggy toes in that last picture! Adorable!



    • Natural Mama Nell on February 9, 2016 at 6:47 am

      The toes! They always slay me!



  2. Michele on February 7, 2016 at 7:51 am

    I have a five year old, and…oh my goodness, I can relate! I am really, really looking forward to Waiting in the Word!!!!!!



    • Natural Mama Nell on February 9, 2016 at 6:50 am

      Isn’t it kinda miraculous to be able to ask them to think beyond their feelings some times?