Present Parenting

I'm laughing as I write this quick post because I have a toddler literally in my lap, one laying sick on the couch and one still in bed ~ everyone still needs to eat breakfast. But I've been up since 3:30 (little one still sick from stomach flu) thinking and praying about changes Jesus might have me to make in my mothering, etc. It's a good cycle to come back around and ask Him to show you any adjustments He wants you to make. Did you know He's FOR you?

One thing that I felt this morning He wanted me to adjust was my use of the virtual world. Not only is it helpful, fun and an easy *community* to tap into during the long days of mothering; it's an awful distraction. One that often keeps me from looking deep into  my children's changing eyes, cuddling, reading books and laundry...that's always there too. ;)

Mothering in America is a lonely endeavor (another post:) because we are isolated in so many ways. We try to fill this loneliness with activity - especially outside the house for the *Me* generation - and other ways of connecting. I'm not as lonely as I used to be as a mom because I have teens who can carry on grown up conversations. And while I've never had a *play date* and haven't had the money to take advantage of mother day out programs very often, I do remember how filling it was to have a moment of adult interaction when my oldest kids were toddlers. It's this loneliness that propels our "need" to be connected. The ways that we fill this need are also often the very things that keep us from seeing the Supernatural show up in our mothering.

So back to present parenting. :) I'm trying to live life with no regrets. And it's helpful to me if I can put myself 10 years ahead and look back. One of the things I know I'll regret is being distracted by the virtual world (back then it was TV - don't have one anymore - or talking to my friends on the phone), especially when I'm with my kids. I know this because I regret being distracted when my older children were small. I can't get those years back. What drives me to STAY distracted is the fear that I'll be lonely or miss out - I fill up the space of my day with things and never think to invite Him to be my Everything...either He is our Everything or He's not.

SO!
Here are some ideas on removing distraction:

• Turn your text tone off and tell your friends you'll check text twice a day - tell them they're free to call.
• Spend more time with Jesus than you do Facebook or Pinterest - it's a good gauge 
• Have a friend over for lunch while your kids play
• Go outside with your kids - even if you're just watching them play, it's beautiful!
• Plant a garden with your kids

Really SEE your children. They'll be grown and gone and you'll miss the color of their eyes and sound of their voice. Be present!!! 

Think I'll take my own advice. ;)