Soccer Mom I am Not, Mother of the Year, I am definately Not!

There are some days as a mother that you finish your day looking in the mirror and think...."I did a pretty darn good job today!  I rocked my kids world."  Today was not that day. I don't know what happened! Other than lose my patience at every turn, this day was full of whining and crying and frustration....and that wasn't just me, it was both my kids, too! Today was Hunter's last day of soccer. We decided not to sign him up again for another 8 weeks because he didn't really seem to be falling in love with the activity.  Today affirmed our decision becuase he didn't touch the ball once, spent 80% of the time with his face pressed up against the plastic wall crying for me to get him out, the other 20% sitting on the rubber grass field, picking up pieces and throwing them up in the air.  Guess who did not feel like Mom of the Year? This girl right here! I tried emphathizing, I tried bribing with frozen yogurt and ChickfilA, I tried turning my back and pretending not to see him, I tried getting out on the field and running with him.  Nothing was doing the trick. 

The rest of the day went equally downhill.  Clinging to me all day were these two children who cried for no apparent reason, whined for everything and tested my every nerve.  Guess who went to bed an hour early? 

After a long bath and some reflection time, I know what went wrong.....I depended upon my own skill and poor judgements instead of praying at every turn for God's help.  So, if you find yourself staring in the mirror at an exhausted mom, take a step back and fall into the arms of Jesus, the true caretaker of your children, and the only One who knows how to parent them best.  Tell yourself that: "You don't have to be perfect. You are a great mother.  You are pretty enough, You are smart enough. And doggone it, your children love you!"