I used to think I was a good mom. Back in the days when I just had one kid, I thought I was doing pretty darn good!

I felt pretty much in control.

I still kind of had a memory!

I felt like I had all the time in the world to play with my kid.

My disciplining of him was pretty awesome!

I felt like I had all the answers.

I was awesome!

And then in an instant, I was the mother of three small children. And most days, I don’t feel so awesome anymore. 🙂

And I’m not sure I’ll ever feel like I’m in control ever again!

Some days are utter chaos. Some days I do good to just make it through the day.

My house is pretty much always a mess.

I get really frustrated about all of the things I forget. The ways I feel like I’m failing my kids and the whole family. When I realize I’ve forgotten to send something with the kids that they needed for school, I just about lose it!

I don’t seem to have enough time in the day.

Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with everything going on that I lose my cool with the kids. This is not how I used to be!!

The other day while at church, a man looked at our family and told Chris and I to enjoy every minute with our kids. At that moment, our kids were not eating their lunch like they were supposed to be doing. They were arguing and bothering each other. Chris was like, “Do I have to cherish this moment?” And I just laughed.

But along the way, I’ve learned (and am still learning) what’s most important. The things that I can let go. That I don’t have to worry about the little things as much. That I don’t have to be perfect. That things aren’t always going to be perfect or go how I think they should go. (Though let’s just be honest! Things would be a lot better if they did!) 🙂

I still would like to feel more in control, but I’m OK with how things are.  I actually kind of like them!

I’ve learned how to apologize to my kids.

I try really hard, but I know I’m going to screw up a lot of things as a parent. But at the end of the day, I know my kids feel loved. I really do! That’s the most important thing to me. And I feel loved by my kids.

And that is awesome!

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In what ways has your parenting changed over the years? How have you changed? What have you had to let go?