Judge Not :)

Parenting is really hard! I was one of those people who would judge everyone else's parenting skills. I would say things like, "my kids will never do that," or "I won't ever let my kids do that."

Then I had Jonah. Jonah is the kid screaming as we walk out of chickfila because he wanted to play more, and then as soon as we are out of the restaurant he is all smiles and is done screaming. Jonah is the kid who laughs every time we say no. He thinks we are just joking around about not putting food in his hair and running in the parking lot. Jonah is the kid who just refuses to walk when he doesn't want us to hold his hand. He is the kid who has a meltdown when we walk in our front door because he wanted to stay outside. Now don't get me wrong, I know most of this is normal behavior for a one year old, but I always said that it wouldn't be my kid. What I didn't take into account is the fact that I can't control Jonah's reaction to anything. I can be the authority and tell him what to do. I can even discipline him when he is disobeying or throwing a fit, but I can't control him.

Another thing I didn't realize is how much I would change once I had a child. I didn't realize how much more compassion and love I would have for my own children. I didn't realize how much more grace I would have towards other parents. And I didn't realize just how incredibly hard it would be to raise a child.

Now I am less than three months from having a baby girl. I am so excited, but also scared! I can hardly keep my one year old in line let alone two kids! Thankfully I have a wonderful husband to walk with on this journey of parenting and a gracious, forgiving God who is always ready to give me strength and wisdom daily.

So please don't judge my parenting...and I won't judge yours :)