Parenting 101: The Perils of a Puppy & A Toddler. We got a puppy for Christmas…thinking it would be a good idea. I think the jury is still out. Especially since I am the one who wakes up to take her outside when the whimpering becomes overwhelming. Plus, there are these sharp spikes protruding from her mouth. They sink into the back of your leg when least expected.
We have a toddler too. He still gets up in the middle of the night. And has more energy than 10 gymnasts on Red Bull. Thank goodness they are both so darn cute!
So I have resorted to caffeine to keep me pumped throughout the day. Now, I’m pretty sure that wasn’t supposed to be my New Year’s Resolution. But what is a girl supposed to do?
Sometimes life gets you in a pickle
Typically, when I feel my life is spiraling out of control, I try to fix it. I try to make it all better. I tell myself that “I Will!” But seriously….sometimes you can’t. Sometimes you don’t have a clue what to do!
There is no answer.
You’ve tried everything.
You feel your prayers aren’t being heard.
Everyone has a piece of advice to give, and yet nothing seems to work.
C’mon now, I know you have been here too. This is where I am right now. My parenting expertise waning thin. Particularly when it comes to bedtime.
So, our 3-year-old son (almost 4) has battled going to bed at night since the saints came marching in. We’ve slept with him. Sang to him. Turned all the lights off. And then on. We’ve read 2 books. And then 4. And then a gazillion more.
We’ve established routines. And then broke them. Tried to reset them all over again. We’ve been lax and super-duper nice. Been stern and mean mommy as well.
NOTHING WORKS!
He falls asleep and then wakes up as soon as we sneak out the door. We’ve read parenting blogs and sought advice from counselors and still…yes, still…he wins. I am convinced he is the energizer bunny in human form.
But tonight was different as I stood by his bed. There was no hurry in me. I prayed while I rubbed his back and asked God to bestow courage within him. His eyes drifted shut as weariness set in and you know what happened?
God changed me
Prayer works. You should try it. Because what happens is unexplainable. I cannot promise there will be a shift in your circumstances…but this I can guarantee:
“Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
What are your current everyday struggles in parenting? Have you considered asking God for some help? Are you willing to accept that the answer may not look like you expected?
Your picture of toddler with puppy is so darn cute! You are very brave for taking on a new puppy with a 3 year old!
Having two of my own toddlers, well is 5 still a toddler? Anyways, my 3 year old son and 5 year old daughter are what I consider to be both very good kids with big hearts and smart minds. And then bam, yesterday both of them shocked their daddy and me on two separate instances with dishonesty and disrespect and it totally left me wondering what went wrong here? Is this going to turn into a pattern? Is this really how its going to be?
The verse of Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you,” helps me tremendously as I read this am. When my kids wake up I will have more patience and be able to lead them with love. Thank-You,
Carrie E.
Thank you for sharing Carrie. It is encouraging to know that we are not in this fight alone. We will have set-backs and disappointments, but even then, our struggles can turn us to Jesus.Have a great day!
Thanks for sharing this blog, it was perfect with the content for the Bible class this morning. Photo was so cute of Comerson & Luna! Mom
perfect post. They will become the best of friends
First, that picture is the cutest! Second, amen — prayer is powerful because we talk to a God who is alive and active and so very present in the lives of His children!
That picture is adorable — your toddler and puppy seem to love each other already! This is a wonderful post – I enjoyed reading it. – Trish
I have a 4 year old son too, i wonder where these little boys get all that energy! We also got our first puppy when our daughter was 3 and I was pregnant, it was overwhelming sometimes! Praying for the little things and big ones can be so helpful!
i don’t know what i would do if i didn’t have God – and prayer – in my life
Oh man! I think God uses these opportunities to change something in US as parents. Parenting is a sharpening tool. I know I’m going through rough patches now and my kids are older (I was expecting it all to be easy breezy by now since the puppy is now 4 years old and potty trained and sleeps through the night). I’m finding myself going mean and harsh and reading your post led me to think, “Maybe God is trying to weed out some control issues in me so that I surrender to Him, to this moment, to the season… and I can let Him work in me.” Thanks for the reminder!
What can you learn from a puppy and a toddler? A lot, if you can get either one to remain in one spot long enough to observe them! A similar lesson hit me this week when I finally gave it over to God…my job held all the power. It dictated my time, peace, happiness, & where my energies were directed. I’ve missed too many opportunities to relax & enjoy other aspects of my life while trying to control my career. The deceiving part was the more I tried to control it, the more it was controlling me. My satisfaction & identity were wrapped up in whether or not I was deemed a success. So, I let go of the controlling mindset & asked God to take away that “thing” that had become a god in my life…amazing how he really does want us to cast our cares upon him (1 Peter 5:7)