Let the Battle Commence

I came down this morning to last night's reminder, of a Nerf battle. When the boys were little, Nerf battles were an every day occassion. One of mine would put a Nerf toy on every birthday list, and I was 'Mum of the Year' if I just bought a packet of the foam bullets for no reason. We have a drawer of them under one of the beds, and every de-clutter of the house that I try to do, I suggest we lose one or two of them, and I am met with strong oppostition from every child in the house. 

We started out saying they were to 'freeze' people, 'stun' them maybe, because I wasn't too comfortable with the play shooting, for all kinds of good reasons. Then we moved on to asking them to use different words in front of the little ones, in order to protect their understanding. What actually happened, is the little ones just ended up with quite a vast vocabulary for words they shouldn't know. 

Last night, the Nerfs were out. Quite cleverly, the use of a screen-ban was utilized well; either the one on the screen ban convinced the one not on a screen ban, to play with them somewhow, or the one not on a screen ban manipulated the one on the screen ban, because "what else were they going to do?" 

Annoyingly for me, this happened already past the girls' bedtime and moving to the next kids' bedtime. The earlier I get at least three into bed, the more chance I have, to chill a bit, reset for tomorrow. I suggested it was a bit too late as the girls were meant to be heading to bed, and the boys played me beautifully;

"But mum, we're having family fun. You love family fun. Plus we are including the girls, they are the ball girls. C'mon, you know you want to lean in mum." 

Mmm...they make a good point. Well, they can rest assured that they played me, and I can confidently say that I wasn't played, and that I made my own choice. (One of us is right I'm sure). The girls were very happy to be included in the crazy late night hype, even though they just ended up running around after their big brothers, being bossed around, without actually being part of the battle, 

So this morning's find was a nice reminder. I'm glad I did lean in, and I wasn't stressy mum, or too-tired mum, even though there was of course, far too much excitement in the house, to then actually go off to sleep, which I knew there would be. It was definitely worth grabbing the moment, an opportunity for sibling goodness can be a rare find.

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers". Galatians 6v10

Happy Mother's Day

Today, (in England) is Mothering Sunday. At church, we thanked God for babies; some babies which were born during the Pandemic, so technically toddlers, which always adds a layer of family fun to a service. And we thanked mothers for all they do, as well as those who nuture us without being mums. There was a funny and cute video from kids and adults about their mums, and all the ladies got a bar of chocolate. I was hoping it was a bar per child, but it was just the one bar each. 

The video struck a chord. Us mums are emotional creatures, and a cute video can bring out all the feels, especially if it also happens to be the day when the clocks go forward, so you lose an hour's sleep. (That does seem a little unfair by the way).

It's always interesting, (and amusing at times) to hear what kids say about their mums. I think it's important for mums to stop and actually listen to what is being said about them, or mums in general. I came downstairs this morning to find a card on the kitchen side, with seven little messages (six kids and a dog) which were very sweet, but one in particular stood out, 'Thanks for being in my corner since day one'. Ah what a joy to read that one. I've also had, 'Thanks for trying' and 'thanks for being a big mum' written in cards before, so you win some, you lose some.

(I'm aware of the privillege of even getting such a card on Mother's Day, knowing that my single mum friend had no such thing today). 

Mums can have a slight tendancy to feel a little unappreciated, even if they are greatly appreciated. Mums can have a slight tendancy to focus on what they haven't done, rather than what they have, or maybe even compare themselves with a different mum, or themselves as a mum a season or two ago. I personally have felt discouraged because I remember being a really fun mum of four small boys, I was physically exhausted but I would say I had a lot of intentional fun; picking them up from school with already prepared water balloons to attack them with, for example. And I sometimes can look back a little nostalgic at that time. But I was 10years younger, I only had 4, I didn't have teenagers, or a job, and there hadn't been a global pandemic; seasons do change... I think if there is something that was once enjoyed, then I can aim to intentionally bring that back, and if I'm inspired by another mum, then that has a different feel to it than comparison. 

These little niggles can cause disappointment or bitterness, which can come out in a variety of ways. So it's good to keep check on them, or lovingly point them out to a mum friend if you notice any, asking them to do the same for you. Usually these kind of niggles can change with a cheesy but very true, 'Attitude of Grattitude'. What can I be thankful for today?

The people from the video answered why they loved their mums;

....she is a good example, she cares, she gives us time to talk, she makes me spaghetti and meatballs, she loves other people, she serves, she makes cakes, she tidies my room, she works hard at all she does, she's good at what she does, she makes money, she encourages, she turns negatives into positives, she helps me navigate my dreams, and my personal favourite... she's always there, giving her whole life to look after me. 

We might not be nailing every area of every part of mothering. (Side note, only God the Father, is the perfect parent). And we've probably got areas of improvement, even areas to repent of. But we may well be doing ok in some areas too, maybe even soaring at times. We may be inspiring other mums, you never know. Or maybe we are communicating love to our kids, maybe we are modelling something of the Father's Heart to them, and that is worth celebrating. 

What good mumming have you done this week that we should be celebrating?

"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song."       Psalm 95v1-2