I’m going to say something that every parent isn’t supposed to say or admit. Out of my three children, I have a favorite kid. There is one kid that I naturally get along better than the others, and our personality compliment better. However, I try not to show that I have a favorite among my children, but sometimes, that’s easier said than done.

During the Labor Day weekend, I took some time to be alone with each child. It could have been as simple as running an errand, going shopping, or taking a walk. At each moment, I marveled at how fast my children were growing up.

While at dinner table last night, my son told me that one of his friends said that I was overprotective. Out of curiosity, I asked why his friend would say that. His friend said that it was because of I wouldn’t allow him to play a particular game. Interestingly enough, I had never heard of this game and neither had my son! But alas, I was already branded as a “no” mom, and it was assumed that I would not let them play this game.

Well, this opened the door to the conversation about parenting. I asked my kids what they thought my job was to be as their mom. They immediately answered with “to protect and teach us.” Yes! I have trained them well. 🙂

But then I had to show them how that was done. My first example was a movie that my kids like. What happens when you watch a movie that you like? You may want to watch it again. You might start quoting it and mimicking parts of the movie you felt were funny. You may share the movie with others. Then I transitioned to the game. What if I allowed my son to play a certain game that was violent, encouraged foul language, and degraded women? Would this encourage habits or thoughts that I want in my children? Although I can’t prevent them from playing outside of the home, we can at least talk about it and not allow it inside our home.

In the end, they understood. Or at least I hope so.

Also during this weekend, the kids and I planted narcissus bulbs in my flower beds. They helped me dig up the dirt, plant the bulbs, and water afterwards. I couldn’t help but think that my children are these bulbs. I can till up the ground, fertilize it, dig a hole deep enough and plant the seeds. I can water my plants faithfully every day, but all I can do is hope that they bloom next year. I can’t force them to bloom beautiful flowers in the spring. It may take longer than that. Or, to my dismay, they may never bloom. I have to trust that the Lord–the Creator and sovereign King of all things–would allow my work to not go in vain.

So as I look forward to the upcoming year (as I think everyone is with this pandemic crisis continuing!), I hope to see some mid-spring daffodils. And as my children continue to grow, I hope I’m around to see them bloom into the adults that I know that they can be. Until then, I’m here to tend to them.

Here is a picture of my three kids in the order of their ages.