Parenting Toddlers

It never fails. Mothers out there always let you know what you should be doing with your kids. You'd think moms would have grace for your spit up stained shirt and infant wearing one shoe... Nope. Instead they chime in with all of their "advice." It will either be verbally or with their fun looks at the park. I read an article a few days ago about moms on their phones at the park. I was ready to get defensive because I'm often that mom. Instead the article was from one mom to another. She explained that no one has the right to judge you for being on your phone so you can watch every move your child makes. When we're home we watch everything from how our kids put their shirts on to how they wiped their nose. It's ok to have a break and take a few seconds on our phone at the park without getting judgement from other moms. My days are often filled with messy eaters,children "sitting" in their seats,doing their hair,playing with their toys "correctly,"keeping the house cleaned,and eating their food with a  good attitude. If I've learned anything about parenting, it's that I have to accept the season of parenting I'm in. Western culture is quick to judge how we're parenting our kids. It's never good enough and they can always find something we're not doing well enough. East Indian moms are the complete opposite. Joel's aunts are always so encouraging with the kids. It doesn't matter what I look like, what I've accomplished during the week, if the kids have had a bath that week, or what I've made for dinner. They consistently tell me what a good job I'm doing and to take it easy on myself because I have little kids. Indian culture encourages you to take your time. They aren't in a huge rush. Instead they take an entire day to put love and finishing touches on a delicious dinner. They look at parenting as a handful of seasons. Right now I have two kids under four. In a few short months, I will have three kids under four. Instead of stressing over what I'm not doing right, I'm going to focus on the great things during our day. I'd rather spend the day cuddling my little boys, drawing with them at our messy table, making a yummy dinner together, and spending time together with my little family. It doesn't matter that my husband comes home to a house that looks just like it did when he left, not because I didn't clean, but because I've cleaned up the same mess a dozen times. It doesn't matter what season of parenting you're in, it's messy, crazy, and a huge blessing. I love my kids and my crazy, chaotic life. One day my little family will be able to go out for a nice, quiet dinner together. As for right now... the next few years, we will be spending our dinners at our messy table, filled with screaming babies, hysterical laughter, food spilling on the floor, and kids that never stay in their seats and I'm going to cherish that as long as I can.