One morning this week as I peacefully sailed through the aisles of the grocery store picking up a few items I needed, my path crossed several times with a mother and her three young children, who all appeared to be age five or under. While the two girls seemed relatively content in the over-sized, truck-shaped grocery cart, the little boy seemed to be struggling a bit.
When I first saw them, the mom was patiently helping her son find his Matchbox car that had somehow fallen behind a row of pudding cups. I soon heard him in the dairy section, loudly protesting some perceived injustice. A moment later, we shared the produce department. While he had been walking earlier, by now he was in the back of the cart. The woman was remarkably self-controlled as I heard her asking him if he’d like to select some fruit for them, in the midst of managing the cart and directing him to sit down at once.
Looking back, I wish I had taken the time to speak a word of encouragement to her. Not so long ago, that was me – not with three children, but with my two, desperately racing through the store trying to grab what I needed before someone fell apart. From this side, it’s easy to say how quickly the time passes, how soon some of those trying days are gone. But when you’re in the midst of them, there’s nothing fast about it. It’s often just a daily grind, with hours of mundane activities punctuated only by short seconds of mommy bliss.
So today, my hat is off to all mothers struggling with multiple little ones, trying to maintain sanity in the midst of chaos, striving their best to impart character-building principles in the midst of potty training and disaster cleanup. May God be with you and grant you a brief moment of serenity, that you may see the priceless value and eternal consequences of the job you are undertaking.
This post is linked to Finer Things Friday.
This post so reminds me of when my daughters were small (they are 17 & 15 now). I remember those days so well! One screaming while the other hides under the clothing racks as I go frantic trying to find her (not realizing where she was).
To Mother's going through having little ones, it does get better! And, one day, you will look back at these days with love & laughter ;o)
I remember those days very well and now I'm watching my own daughter go through the things I did as a young mother. What an important job we moms have!
I'll second that prayer. 🙂 I think at this time of year, moms of little ones face even more stress. Sometimes the perceived expectations of family and friends push them into a frenzy, and they miss the joy of all the little moments.
Great thoughts, today.
Oh, so true! Having little ones can be a struggle at times. One of my good friends has 2 busy 1 year old girl twins. I help her out several times a week, so she can go shopping or whatever else. 😀
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What a sweet, precious post. It brought tears to my eyes. I only have one little one for the moment (a 15 month old) but I too, realize that some days are just survival. Some days I can't imagine having additional little ones. I always knew and appreciated the work that moms do (my mom was a SAHM) but of course now being in the midst of it, it is an ENTIRELY new appreciation. Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂