Happy Mother's Day

I saw this quote on another blog, and I just had to share. My mom, my mother-in-law, my sisters, my sister-in-laws and my friends all use different parenting methods, but they all are wonderful moms that I adore and have learned so much from!

"I've learned this: whether you follow Attachment Parenting or Babywise, breastfeed or bottle feed, co-sleep or let your child cry herself to sleep, educate your children at home or in public school----be gracious to moms who parent differently than you.

Because someday, God might send you a child who defies every method, shatters all your pretty platitudes and exposes you as a prideful, holier-than-thou, know-it-all.

I know this because it happened to me. I had to eat humble pie before I realized there's no substitute for relying on Christ alone. Programs, babywise or otherwise, didn't make me a better mother to my children. They only inflated my pride.

Today when someone asks me, "how do you do it?" I reply, "only by the grace of God."

It's so true. I never thought I would co-sleep with my babies (I do.). I never thought I would allow my child to walk around with snot dripping into his mouth (it currently is.). I never thought I would get so frustrated with parenting at times that I would run to my bathroom, shut the door and scream at the top of my lungs (I have.). I never thought I would have 2 beautiful boys that I love so much (I do.). I'm very blessed and grateful. Thanks to all you mommies out there who have taught me so much and continue to do so.

Happy Mother's Day to all!