If you’re a mom of teens (and they don’t need to be girls, by the way) READ ON, because I need your help in surviving the next two weeks, and if you don’t help me I’m gonna crack.
“What’s in it for me?” you may well demand.
Prayers. Devotion. A large Campfire Mocha at the local Caribou.
First, a preemptive paragraph about my insane ambitions. On May 1st, my morning prayer was most consoling and my writer’s heart, overflowing with love. I sat down at the computer and cracked my literary knuckles in anticipation. “Because it’s the first of May and I LOVE May, I am hoping to do a post/day every day,” I wrote…
…and I met this goal…
…for a whopping five days.
As an artist, I need like nothing to CREATE and when I don’t create? I start to crack. Once, on our way to the carpool drop-off, I told Maria that I was feeling depressed. “I think maybe you need to make something,” she suggested, and I thought, “Since when did the daughter become wiser than the mom?”
And that’s what I’m here to write about. I have a lump in my throat as I write these words, because I don’t know where I’d be without my girls.
Also? Right now I’m cracking, because there’s not a Minnesotan snowball’s chance in hell that I could have met my goal of a blog post a day, and who’s got the time to read all that anyway? More than anything, though, is the pressure of meeting ALL the expectations of a manic month. What I really need is for you to say, “I get it. I’m going through it too, my friend.”
Or just think it. Think LOUD so I can hear you from here.
And now for the mini-memoir part. Right after I gave birth to my oldest daughter, having already had two little boys, I turned to the labor nurse with a weak, happy grin and said, “I got my girl!” She gave my arm a comforting squeeze and smiled back.
“You got your girl.”
Fast forward eighteen years and two more daughters (and two little boys) later. I take a very real pleasure in telling people that I have seven children, “including,” (I pause for dramatic effect), “three teenage daughters!”
Their mouths drop and I nod.
“Right?” I say.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
And so, I’m not going to be a consistent blogger and I’m not able to write a post a day because we have two different proms and a Senior play. We have concerts and soccer games and late night trips to the local Target, where we wander giggling up and down the cosmetic aisles and trade advice on under-eye concealer.
We have a graduation, for crying out loud! And announcements for a grad party that I’ve yet to order.
I’m tired and I’m overwhelmed and my mother’s heart nearly breaks with the stress of navigating this uncertain path. Who am I to parent these three beautiful girls? Who am I? In short, I’m the mom that God has lovingly called to one of the most demanding vocations on the PLANET and the Good News is:
I’m not alone.
…to be cont.
(maybe 😉
May is sooo hard for moms! Maybe that’s why it’s the month of Mary, to remind us to lean on her more to get through. I was so discouraged when I flipped the calendar to May and found it was already full! Show me an empty(ish) calendar and I’ll show you a happy mom 😂. Not that those activities aren’t mostly good, but it’s just so exhausting and a logistical challenge. I see you and I understand, and my oldest is only 16 so I can imagine it gets even more demanding!
You are not alone! I’m a mother of three daughters too… although my oldest is not quite six years old. I love it so much, and I’m not afraid of the teen years either. Like you, I frequently set unrealistic expectations and goals for myself and then I start to crack. Like you, I wonder often,”Who am I to parent these three beautiful girls!?” More and more I am coming to realize that I am exactly the mama that God has planned for them. And… I am trying to be more realistic about my goals and plans. Thanks for helping me to realize that I am not alone! Let’s lift each other up in prayer!
Mom of three daughters too! How lucky are we! We have a prom, confirmation, college graduation (2 days of events) and our oldest moving into first apartment this weekend. May always seems so crazy busy. My house not as clean as I’d like, laundry not done, meal planning and prep out the window – we’re eating more pizza and subs than is good for us. I decided to try to “live in the moments” this month – and it’s working 😉 Wish I had tried this attitude years ago instead of stressing myself and my family out about how busy we were.
Hope you and your family enjoy all the spring festivities!
You can do this. I know you can! I only have two daughters, and two sons, but this time of year is absolutely crazy, and with younger son graduating this Saturday, and everything else, I can’t even think straight. I’ll be praying for you, and I hope that you will pray for me too.
Adorable Margaret,
Your words bring to life memories and it is delightful to me*~*!~**~**! Now with grand baby happiness I am once again humbles to the begging stage as I affect another generation with my humanness. I remember the good in the parenting struggle, the schedules, how to love, lead, care for the tribe under my feet. The constant begging face down before the Father, guide my thoughts, words, actions all the way through this parenting life dear Lord!*~*~* Knowing above all of the Fathers great love for each of my dear ones but begging my sinful nature would not affect them.
Praising him who is ever vigilant before, beside and behind you all the way to eternity!*~*~*
Your words bring life to my memories and I simply love love love your blog*~** Covenanted to pray with you in all the messies of life*~**~* Kim
Holy Spirit, you who makes me see everything and shows me the way to reach my ideal, you who gives me the divine gift to forgive and forget all the wrong that is done to me and you who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank you for everything, and affirm once more that I never want to be separated from you no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with you and my loved ones in your perpetual glory. To that end and submitting to God’s holy will, I ask from you..(mention your favour). Amen
This prayer should be said for 3 consecutive days. After the 3rd day, your sincere wish will be granted no matter how difficult it may be. Promise to offer thanksgiving by sharing it and expressing it on granting of your favour. The idea is to spread the wonder of the Holy Spirit.
I really loved this post, and Gail’s comment about May being the month of Mary and leaning on her. In May, my oldest and only daughter graduated Highschool. I couldn’t believe it. I had to figure out graduation photos, dress shopping, and the emotional rollercoaster of having a teen. I had to lean on my carpet cleaners for some peace. They came and cleaned my carpet. I was talking to the tech about everything and broke down. The tech gave me a big hug. Can you believe that?!