Parenting is like a hike. A steep alpine trail we must travel to take our children from birth to adulthood. There?s adventure and a time of bonding along the way. There are also?for those who attempt to find it?places of peace and contentment. Spots to enjoy the view. (I promise there are!)
As a mom of four I know that anything worthwhile (vacations, holidays, grocery shopping, coffee with friends, Lego castles) deserve time to prep. But so often in parenting we set off with no real plan. We grab our backpacks (a.k.a. our schedules/life) and pile more in. This leads to weariness and crankiness, blisters and burdens.
You Gotta Plan & Pack
When hiking, water, food, proper clothing, and sturdy footwear are essentials. In life we too often let clutter push out the priorities. We say ?yes? to many good things?to the detriment of the necessities.
Enriching activities, play groups, lessons, and sports sound worthy of our backpack space. Yet we miss out on the most important things: family games night, dinners around the table, Bible study, and service.
What helps? Becoming an expert packer. What things MUST you include? Sleep, food, shower, school/work. After those are scheduled, what?s next? Family dinners, homework time, church. Now, what things can unload from your backpack? (Honestly take time to consider this?it protects you from being burdened down.)
Your list will be different from mine. The Goyers focus on family movie nights, bike rides, and board games. Due to numerous practices and games, cost, and travel, we allowed our three oldest kids to participate in only one sports activity per year. (The littlest one is just a toddler, but we plan to do the same.)
Do you need to unload??Just because something is a good opportunity doesn?t mean it?s right for you.
Also,?look at the deeper issues?that lead to hurry and worry. Do you hurry because you wasted time on Facebook? Do you worry because you read too many blogs and drool over too many Pinterest images and think you must keep up?
Consider the unique needs of your unique family. There is only one family in the world like yours. What is God?s plan for you?
Finally, map out your family. What things are most vital to your spouse and kids??Ten years from now what would they say was worth it? God put those kids in your family for a reason. Traveling the path together involves teamwork. It?s not just your path?it?s theirs, too. More than that, it?s a hike God?s designed for you. Seek Him. Trust Him. Turn to Him. God?s not going to leave you alone, but He has a few things to say along the way: Follow me. You?re doing great. Turn right. Let me help you carry that?.
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Tricia Goyer is a busy mom of four, grandmother of one, and wife to John. ?A bestselling author, Tricia has published thirty-three books to date and has written more than 500 articles. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, as well as a Christy and ECPA Award Nominee. In 2010, she was selected as one of the Top 20 Moms to Follow on Twitter by SheKnows.com. Tricia is also on the blogging team at MomLifeToday.com, TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian sites. ?She is the founder of Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Northwestern Montana, and she currently leads a Teen MOPS Group in Little Rock, AR. Tricia, along with a group of friends, recently launched www.NotQuiteAmishLiving.com, sharing ideas about simplifying life. She also hosts the weekly radio podcast, Living Inspired. Learn more about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.
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Source: http://themobsociety.com/2013/03/preparing-for-the-parenting-hike/
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