Words from the Wise?

I love having a 9-month old. I think it is the most fun age yet. I must admit, though, I also loved having a newborn, and then a 3-month old, and then a 6-month old, and so on. It seems like being a mom just keeps getting better and better. It's not always easy, but it's still wonderful.

My mom and I talk about this a lot. She told me when I was pregnant to enjoy EVERY age and EVERY stage, no matter what anyone else says. I can't even count how many times I've been approached by someone this week alone who tells me that Tanner is so cute, and to enjoy it now because it's only going to get harder. Or that this is the best age, and it's all downhill from here. In fact, I was in the elevator with a man the other day, when he basically commented that he wished his son was this age again instead of a rotten teanager. You know what I mean ... you've probably heard comments like this yourself. "Just wait until ..." I usually just want to respond by saying, "Great! Thanks for telling me that I've just started on a journey that's only going to stink in the end."

Yesterday, we had a wonderful speaker at MOPS, who talked to us about how to leave a spiritual heritage for our children. She began by encouraging us, telling us that we still have so much to look forward to. In fact, she said her favorite season of motherhood was when her kids were teens. Such great words to hear!

Another, older woman approached me a few months ago as I was working in the kitchen at church. She asked about Tanner and we talked about how great it is being a mom. She warned me that people were going to tell me that things go downhill once your little one starts to grow up, but she also said that it didn't have to be that way -- that she enjoyed her kids every step of the way! I don't think I'll ever forget this conversation, I'll be sure to hold her words close to my heart.

I guess that after all this babbling, what I'm really trying to say is that, as mothers and parents, we need to ENCOURAGE one another and be careful in the things we say to each other. No new parent wants to hear that they've already reached the pinnacle of parenthood, and there's nowhere to go but down. Wouldn't it be great if seasoned parents actually told you about things you could look forward to as your children grow?! For instance, instead of people rolling their eyes and telling me how HARD it was going to be once Tanner was mobile, it would have been SO MUCH more encouraging for them to tell me how much FUN we would have crawling around together, or how much HAPPIER my baby would be once he was able to get where he wanted to go.

Next time you see a new mom, say something encouraging! Think of something she has to look forward to and be sure to share! I promise, it will make her day!

p.s. I got a new 'do the other day. I love having short hair again!