On Being a Parent

Now that my summer is coming to a close, I'm thinking about how it's gone. Grant and I have had a lot of fun together and a lot of time together too. We've had a lot of good days, where he has been a very sweet boy, like today where we've been playing Play-Doh together as well as doing science experiments, which is totally his jam. 

On the flip side, we've had a few day too, where I've doubted my ability to be an effective parent, like on Sunday at the pool. One of my friends, Nicole (Hi!) invited Grant and I out for the afternoon and Grant's behavior was probably the worst it's been in a long time. The kid wouldn't listen, no matter what I said. He love Q, Nicole's son, but he really wasn't acting like a very good friend.

As a parent I know the verse from Proverbs 22:6 that says "Train your child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it." Brian and I influence on Grant is so great! He sees our worst and best....and I've seen him emulate both. There's a good change I see Grant's best behavior, when I'm a caring, engaged mom and his worst when I'm not. 

A few weeks ago Grant and I went to camp and while the kids were off doing some activities we adults talked about how to best teach our kids about God. It made me think about how in a plane crash you have to put your oxygen mask on first, before assisting anyone else. I think the same applies to teaching our children about God. If we're not spending quality time with God daily, how can be really teach or kids about who He is and how to be more like Him. How can be "train them up" correctly?

Although I'm still doing devotions daily, I'm not feeling super connected to the study I'm reading and my devotion time happens while Grant is watching cartoons and Brian is getting ready for work. I'm not sure I'm studying and spending time with God as effectively as I could be. Although I'm not excited to get up at 5:30 once school starts again, I know that quiet time with God was the best start to my day. I'm also going to be ready to start a new study next week too, and I'm excited for that as well. I can make excuses for not having the quality quiet time I'd like, or I can do something about it. I know the quality time starts off my day right and makes me the best parent and wife I can be too.

Are you feeling tired and run-down as a parent? I encourage you to start spending some daily time in prayer and with devotions if you aren't already doing so. If you are currently doing a study you love, share it in the comments below so we can check it out too!

This outfit is seriously one of my favorites. I scored this top for $3 at Old Navy recently. It's now sold out but I'm loving this one for fall. I also can't get enough of this Banana Republic leather bag I scored from thredUP this spring, brand new for $29! Right now you can get $20 off your first purchase from thredUp when you use this link!

I also love these current pieces from my Rocksbox. If you haven't tried it yet, this is the last month to use the code "newfavoriteoutfitxoxo" to get your first month free.

shirt: Old Navy similar

Shorts: Old Navy same
Jewelry: Rocksbox c/o
Bag: Banana Republic similar via thredUp  (use this link to get $20 off your first purchase)

Wedges: Aerosoles c/o Chippmunk same

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday