Eureka!

No, I didn't find my Loving the Little Years book by Rachel Jankovic that I purchased in September.  It is still AWOL, apparently along with some school portraits and other things I can't find.  My sister gave me a new copy for Christmas, though, so I put it in a safe spot by my bed and started reading it immediately so I wouldn't have the chance to lose it again!  It is one of those books I made myself read slowly, limiting to a chapter or 2 per night--because I didn't want the book to be over!  It is funny, relates right to where I'm at in life, and it really makes you think about your attitude, heart and actions toward your children.

I've had the book sitting by the computer so I could share some quotes from it, and 2-3 of my kids at different times have said, 'Hey, mom, you found that book you were looking for!' or something to that effect.  You see, I had promised whoever found it a special treat!  And shown them pictures of the cover online.  I guess they are paying attention sometimes!

In one chapter, Rachel talks about the repetition of motherhood, like telling people to stop doing things all day long.  She goes on to describe a report of a day like this as being bad, bad, bad, everyone was ugly, we flunked today, etc, etc.

"Imagine you give a report like this to your husband at the end of the day while collapsed on the couch making tired faces.  Then imagine that he asks in his unhelpful way if you were spanking for it.  (Don't pretend you haven't had a conversation like this some time--I know all about it!)  Usually the answer would be not really, or very little.  Because when you come right down to it, you know exactly who needs to be spanked, and it is you.  Because if you are the teacher and none of the students are succeeding, you need to be doing a better job.  You need to think of new ways to explain the lessons.  Change up the terminology a bit.  Give some illustrations."


I was laughing and feeling convicted at the same time!  I really enjoyed this book, and it is changing my outlook on things.  I'll share more quotes later...