I’m NOT like you

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imagesI change the sheets once a week, my mom doesn’t.

Mom worked as a nurse, I stay home.

I go to a Pentecostal church, my mom doesn’t.

I feed my kids preservative free foods, my mom likes fast food.

My 3 kids are hyper, ADHD, strong willed and one has apsergers. My mom had 6 kids and only one with special needs.

My kids make mistakes and test the limits often…..not going to mention how I was as a kid. 

When my kids are crabby or have an attitude, I use the “fun or no fun” rule, my mom sent us to our rooms. 

Now that I’m all grown up and a mother, I see I’m not like my mother. Personality, kids temperaments  and other factors come into play. My mom mothered us differently because she was a single mom with 6 kids. She had to work, she fed us food on the fly and I’m okay with that. I mother my kids with preservative free food, I stay home, I parent differently….

Now compared to my friends–there are TONS of differences. None of it is wrong, its just different. How often have you felt like “mom of the year” when your day is a mess, kids are bickering and then you see a friend whose kids are happy and sharing. I bet you feel pretty lousy and imperfect.

The question I have to ask is this: Are your kids just like min? Just like Jill’s? Just like your friends? (okay, more like several).

The answer, unanimous across the board is no. 

Just because your mom did things one way, doesn’t mean you have to, the same goes with your friends. 

Jill Savage writes about embracing your imperfections. The part of I loved about the book this week is that we grow through our differences and trails with our kids. Is any one way to mother correct? 

We would love to hear from you this week, so here are some questions to discuss, so let’s DIG DEEP. 
Dig Deep

1) Can you identify one way you’ve had an unrealistic expectation for
your child?
2) Take the “True or False” quiz on page 50. How did you score?
3) Are you a “Yes Mom?” Why or why not?
4) Do you compare your child to other kids? Siblings? The imaginary perfect child? Yourself?
5) What is one thing you highlighted/noted as you read? Why did it strike you as important?

So how can you apply it? How can you embrace being who you are and other’s differences?

1) Which antidote listed on page 66-68, do you most need to put into practice when it comes to
loving your imperfect kids? Write yourself a note to remember the antidote you’re working on.
2) Write each of your children a love note. Tell them what you love about them. Affirm their
strengths and how they bring joy to your life. If they are too young to read it, tuck it away in
their baby book or journal. If they can read, put it on their pillow so they will find it.
3) Print out the “First Corinthians 13 for Parents” printable found in the Additional Resources
section of Video 3 at www.NoMorePerfectMoms.com. Post it somewhere where you are
reminded of how to love your child well.

Let’s pray!

Lord, thank you for our unique children. We stand amazed at who they are and we look forward to what
you have in store for them in the future. Help us to love them more like you love. Let us see them through
eyes of grace. Help me to keep my expectations realistic and to embrace the season of mothering I’m in
to the fullest. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Stephanie Shott
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