I lost my patience big time this week. For the third time in two days Nate played in the puddles, drenched his shoes, socks, and pants up to his knees. It had already been a stressful day. This was just the proverbial icing on the cake. It’s not like I don’t expect him to play in puddles. Honestly, it’s partly my own fault for not putting him in rain boots. We had experienced an insane amount of rain this past week. I was unpreparedness for miserable weather. The stress of staying in a 5th wheel trailer for ten days with two kids…
That was still not a good reason to lose my patience.
And I felt guilty all day…
Nate is a regular four year old boy who loves puddles and could care less about wet feet. He’s living in the moment. Being carefree. (And I have no patience.)
So what’s a parent to do when they blow it?
- Meditate: reflect on what happened. Figure out a better way to prepare, respond, and discipline.
- Apologize: tell your child you’re sorry. Let them know even parents make mistakes. Explain why they can’t do the behavior. Share with them what they can do instead.
- Start Over: thank fully kids get over things pretty quickly. They are so graceful, they allow do-overs. Commit to doing better next time. Learn from the mistake and move on.
Mamas, don’t let the guilt consume you.
Easier said than done, I know. I’m still learning to let go of the guilt. And constantly trying to be more patient.
Patience is a virtue, right? And parenting is hard stuff!
I need prayer, lots of prayer…
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6 Bible Verses about Patience
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-5
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. Proverbs 14: 29
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4: 2
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6: 9
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3: 12
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103: 8
What other Bible verses about patience can you find? Share them in the comments!
It’s hard to not hold onto the guilt, parenting, in general, is hard. I remember my mom used to tell me when I splashed in puddles that I’d get worms lol. It’s funny now because I realize she was just exhausted and trying to find the easiest way to keep her sanity. I love Galatians 6:9, “let us not become weary…” because we do sometimes lose perspective and wear out. Thanks for the great list of verses, the transparency, and the encouragement.
Thank you Hope for your encouraging words. I very much appreciate and need them. And yes, I like this Bible verse to. Thank you for sharing it. Blessings!