My Overactive Super Mommy Syndrome

I am one of those moms who suffers from the Super Mommy Syndrome.  I like things to be perfect, they are far from it!  I like all my ducks in a row, they tend to waddle here and there.  I also feel guilty if I let someone help me rather than doing it myself.  These children were entrusted to me after all!

I do believe that children are given to their parents from the Lord and that it is the parents responsibility to raise them rather than pawning them off for someone else to care for.  Honestly, we are pretty capable around here.  We do not whine and ask for help when things get tough.  We tough it out!  This sometimes leads to neglect from family members because they think we have it all together and because the kind of help they offer is not what we really need.  I am learning to live with that.

Even though I have this great desire to be the mom of all mothers I realize how far short I fall.  Maybe that is a God’s way of making sure I remain humble in this area.  When you realize that the Lord entrusted these children to your care to raise them to bring glory and honor to him, well, that often seems an insurmountable task for one such as I!  I must rely on the Lord and not myself, it is only with his guidance, strength, and wisdom that I can be effective at all.  I definitely cannot do it on my own!

This Super Mommy Syndrome is some respects can be healthy.  It keeps one from shirking their responsibilities!  If we are focused on the Lord and seeking to do our best for his glory and not our own then it can also be a good propellant!  Sometimes though our own selfish and prideful nature rears its ugly head and then we have problems.  Sometimes it is hard for us Super Mommy types to ask for help or to even accept it when it is offered.  I have a prime example from today!

My hubby is out of town right now.  One of my children has standardized testing today on the other side of Anchorage (about a 40 minute drive).  My neighbor is taking two of her children so she offered to take him as well.  I said ok.  I woke from a dream this morning in which he didn’t make it on time and I was rushing around to get him there.  I called her when I got up and of course they were there and all was well.  I simply felt guilty because I was not taking care of getting him there myself!  I was letting another person take care of it.  I know this might sound crazy to most of you but I am being brutally honest here.

Let me ask you…..are you a super mommy?  Now let me ask you this, if you do not think you are a super mommy…..Do others classify you that way?  If so, then I would say you fall into that category anyway!

How do you balance your super mommy tendencies and high standards with accepting help from others and dealing with unnecessary feelings of guilt?

Copywork & Handwriting

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When teaching penmanship, basic grammar, spelling, literature, accuracy, punctuation, vocabulary, sentence structure, attention to detail, and memory skills copywork and handwriting books are a great resource.  There are many different curricula available for such things but you want to make sure they are books of substance?  We do not want to just have busy work. When trying to instill godly character in our children it is important to use a curriculum that addresses those needs as well.  I have several listed here that you may want to look into.  We have used several ourselves!

A Reason for Writing has been around for a long time.   They offer curriculum for grades K-6th.  All of the lessons are based on scripture verses.  Along with learning good penmanship children are memorizing and sharing the Word of God.

Memoria Press has a little bit of a different approach.  Their books not only contain scripture but also classic poetry, literature selections, Latin sayings, and hymns.  They also have a great explanation on their website of the benefits of copywork.  They offer a primary set consisting of three books, a cursive book, as well as a composition and sketch book.

Veritas Press has a handwriting series entitled Classically Cursive.  There are four books in this series.  These reproducible books originated by the folks at Logos School are all you need to teach cursive handwriting.  These books use scripture and the catechism.  The four books are entitled, “Bible Primer, Ten Commandments, Shorter Catechism, and The Attributes of God.”

Last but not least are the Journibles.  These are actually designed for older teens and adults.  Yes, we adults can benefit too!  I am very excited about these and am looking forward to investing in some for myself.  Here is a description from the website on these books.

Each book is organized so that you can write out your very own copy of Scripture. You will be writing the Bible text only on the right hand page of the book. This should make for easier writing and also allows ample space on the left page to write your own notes and comments. From time to time a question or word will be lightly printed on the left page; these questions are to aid in further study, but should not interfere with your own notes and comments.

So there you go!  Several great resources for meeting the needs of handwriting and copywork but also attending to our spiritual needs.  Do you have any other great resources for this?  Have you used any of these?  Which are your favorite?  I would love for you to share!

Something to Ponder

A people who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted because their countercultural lifestyles stick out like a sore thumb. When family patterns are reformed, it is so public that everyone notices. Family, friend, co-worker and church member are easily offended by family reforms. – Scott Brown

Resolving Conflict in Blogland

I thought blogging was supposed to be fun.  It is a way to share our thoughts and our convictions.  It is a way to meet like-minded people and to encourage one another.  I am fully aware of the fact that many people (even those who should be like-minded) disagree.  It seems to me though that if you are not big enough to take a little criticism and to take it with dignity then you should maybe reevaluate your motives.  I do not mind criticism, after all,  healthy discussion brings about growth.  What I do object to is the underhandedness, dirtiness, mean spirited, name calling, slanderous parties out there!

I know that where there is conflict we do not always behave in the best manner.  I have had situations in the past which have risen from disagreements in convictions.  Some I handled well with grace and dignity and others I did not but dealt with them in a rather sinful manner.  In those cases where I did not handle things in a godly manner I have repented, asked for forgiveness from those involved, and done what works I could to make amends.  I have learned that in all cases of conflict I should flee to the Lord and beseech him to grant me wisdom, clarity of heart and mind, and graciousness even amidst difficult conversations.   I am not the best at this but am growing.

Some situations clear up easily and others do not.  Sometimes that is because of differences in personalities, differences in how to resolve issues, differences in convictions and beliefs,  an unwillingness or inability due to insecurity to let others disagree, unrepentant or perceived unrepentant hearts.  All this to say, conflicts arise and they may even be over very important issues but when one takes that conflict and rather than trying to resolve things in a godly manner begin to slander and back stab all the while justifying their actions, that is just plain sinful!  I am currently watching another one of these situations unfold online and it breaks my heart.  I see the godly character of those involved.  I fully realize that I may not be seeing the whole picture and not know everything that each individual is doing but I do see the underhanded vengeful things that are being done to them and know that these actions are not godly.

If you have a disagreement with someone here is a word of advice from one who has been there.  Make sure you are confident enough in your convictions to be ok with the fact that people may and most likely at some point will disagree with you.  Remember it is not your job to change their minds or their hearts; that is up to the Lord.  Most importantly, be willing to hear them, learn from them, and be willing to admit you are wrong!  You just might be!  Try to speak with grace even if you have words that are difficult to hear. There is nothing wrong with speaking boldly but try to have a heart of humility not arrogance.  The other party may not recognize that you are acting from a heart of grace and humility but you still need to make sure that the motives of your heart are godly.  Approach the situation with the idea that others are trying to act from godly motives as well.  They may not be but give them the benefit of the doubt.  Earnestly request wisdom, a clean and pure heart, mind, and speech from the Lord.  It is so easy to get caught up in who is right and who is wrong that you loose sight of behaving in a godly manner.  Do not fall into that trap.  Learn when you have said enough and leave the outcome of changing hearts, minds, and actions to the work of the Holy Spirit.

Pray that the Lord will reveal areas in which you may need to repent concerning the conflict.  Make sure that when you repent of those things that you also ask for forgiveness from the others involved.  Be specific too so they are fully aware of the fact that you acknowledge your part (and what that was) in the conflict and are truly repentant.  This is not necessarily required but it goes a long way to bringing healing, reconciliation, forgiveness, and humility.

Me, Like Esau???

Genesis 25:29-34
Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

This passage of scripture is pretty well known to most Christians. Most Christians that I have spoken to concerning this have had the same kind of thinking. I will admit I have felt the same way. That Esau was basically an idiot to have given up so much for so little. Why on earth would he give up his birthright for a single meal! We see the things written in scripture and think that we would have acted in a much better fashion! Even if we know how it feels to be exhausted and starving we would never have given up so much!

I heard a snippet (about 2 sentences) on the radio today (sorry I cannot remember the program). It really made me think. The Lord slapped me between the eyes once again! I am more like Esau than I would ever like to admit!

Esau gave up the blessing of the Lord for instant gratification! He wanted something and he wanted it then and there. He did not want to wait. Ever felt like that? Never, right? Have you ever gone out and used a credit card to purchase something you wanted because you didn’t really have the money? Have you ever justified turning a want into a need? Have you ever failed to trust in the providence of God for your needs or the blessings of God for your wants and tried to provide for them any way you could? Credit cards make it an easy thing to indulge in instant gratification. What happens next though?

Proverbs 22:11
The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

My hubby and I have facilitated several Financial Peace University classes in the past. Lately, we have fallen off of the financially disciplined wagon.  In fact, not only have we fallen off, we didn’t even get up and chase after that wagon right away, we stayed and played in the dirt for a while!  Playing in the dirt can be fun but cleaning up the mess rarely is!

Well, I think the Lord has given us the kick in the pants we needed!  No one wants to be told that they are acting like Esau when he sold his birthright!  Time to remember to be content with what we have, time to remember that fruit of self-control, time to stop indulging in instant gratification, and time to get back on that wagon of financial discipline!  It is time to get rid of the instant gratification attitude that we like Esau have displayed!

Can it Be?

Can it truly be that my little one is a year old today? It seems only yesterday that I was waddling around with her inside! She is a sweet, funny, smart, talking, walking toddler now! Where did this past year go? She is definitely an Alaskan baby too! Her very first word was “bear” and said with a growling tone! Makes me laugh every time I hear it!

Happy Birthday Sweet Bella Boo! We love you!