Today I am thankful for Patience. I grew up with a mom that never had any. She couldn't tolerate anything and my dad was always overseas or working, so he wasn't around to help much. My mother had no patience for my brother and I when it came to homework or playing a game... even cooking or baking. She wouldn't let us help her, even as we got older. I guess that's why I never learned to cook through her and had to depend on a class in junior high school and high school to teach me the basics on cooking.
Having three kids, you have to have patience. Heck, even with one kid. I've learned that the hard way throughout the years. Yes, there are many times where I'm completely mentally and emotionally exhausted and when my kids want my help or they want to help me, this is the time when I have to reflect back on a mother with no patience. I want my children to know that they can come to me for anything and no matter how much time it takes, I will always be there for them, every step along the way.
This includes 3rd grade homework. My youngest son brings home a homework packet every Thursday and it's due the following Thursday. One of his homework assignments is to read a book and write down the summary of what he's written every day. While he does just fine at reading a book, he lacks in the summary department and often needs help, but fails to ask for help until it's about 8pm at night. Granted, that's my fault. I should immediately come home from work and we should dive right into his homework. Honestly, who am I kidding? That's the last thing I want to do as soon as I walk through the door after a 9 hour shift at work. I love my children so much and I want them to succeed, but part of it is, they have to be responsible for themselves, especially when it comes to school work. I will offer help at the drop of the hat, but I won't sit there and give him the answers like he's hoping I will. The times that I do have to help him spell a word, I remain calm, help him spell it and thank the Lord every step of the way for giving me the patience that my mother never had with us kids.
Patience means a lot to me. Not everyone has it. Whether you are waiting in line at a supermarket, on the phone on hold, waiting in a doctor's office or at the post office or wherever else starts to get your blood to boil because you just want to get moving... just take a moment to breathe, relax your shoulders and tell yourself to remain calm. After all, there are worse things in the world you could be stuck doing.
No comments:
Post a Comment