Episode 43: ‘Mother’ is a Verb // Parenting a Variety of Ages and Personalities
We talk a lot about parenting in our culture. But what about mothering? What do we as mothers carry that is unique to our gifting and calling? Here are the Scriptures we talked about today!
Isaiah 66:13 ESV
As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;
Isaiah 49:15 ESV
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.
2 Timothy 1:5 ESV
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
Proverbs 1:8-9 ESV
Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck
Proverbs 6:20-22 ESV
My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise
Proverbs 22:6 ESV
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all
Attributes of mothering we see in these Scriptures:
Comfort
Compassion
Teaching
Training
Wisdom
Passing on true faith
Caring for her household
Diligent in caring for her family
Kind
How do you parent a variety of ages and personalities?
By the grace of God!
Receive HIS grace—YOU are NOT enough! You can only do this well with Jesus. Full stop.
Philippians 4:13 I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who gives me strength!
Get to know your kids
Spend time with them one-on-one sometimes. Can be reading a book, or a short cuddle session in bed.
See them as individuals, not as a litter
Notice which ones are introverts/extroverts (how they recharge)
Take advantage of that—let the introverts recharge alone, and don’t feel like you have to manage them
Learn their love languages and use them
Physical touch, words of affirmation, gifts, quality time, acts of service
All kids need physical touch, all kids need words of affirmation, and quality time
Find their “currency” for consequences and rewards—it’s ok if they’re not all the same, or not the same as you.
Recognize that God gave you this child/children, and therefore He is equipping you to mother them. FEAR NOT.
Resources:
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