Always & Never

Some always and nevers in regards to every day mothering:

Always…

Enjoy every minute with your child, they grow up very fast.

Take time to play with your child…you’ll never regret that choice!

Be ready to change! …sleeping patterns, schedules, and even your identity.

Sacrifice your wants for your family’s needs.

Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Allow one-on-one cuddle them to show them they’re loved.

Remember that you are your baby’s favorite toy.

In regards to diaper checking, remember to “peek and not poke!”

Ask for help. First from God, then from your husband and lastly from others the Lord has placed in your life.

Make their birthdays special – not necessarily extravagant but special.

Be genuine and honest… they know the difference!

Reward good behavior.

Listen for silence.

Make time for “fun” each day.

Speak with love in your voice and a smile in your eyes.

Involve them in your activities, like cooking, laundry, crafts, music. This will spill over into serving others!

Build up your husband. They need a “human hero”, make that hero their dad.

Remember your title as “server” and wear it proudly …feeder, diaper changer, bather, soother, everything!

Serve your family with a gentle touch and smile on your face.

Never…

Forget to have a ton of fun together! Go on vacations, visit the National Parks, and visit the foreign mission fields with your children.

Nurse your baby to sleep. Sleep is too precious.

Turn your back on a toddler.

Compare your children or have a “favorite”, they are all uniquely made by God.

Lose heart because of a bad day or night. God can give rest even after a week of bad nights!

Never believe the lie that you are wasting your talents and skills as you care for little ones.

Worship your children by giving them everything they want.

Say, “I’ll never do that!” or “That will never happen to me!”

Reward bad behavior.

Act in any way that ten years from now you won’t want to see it replayed when they all sit around the dinner table and mock you.

Assume they are listening.

Break a promise, if at all possible.

Expect more of them than you do of yourself.

Argue with your spouse in front of your children. Keep it behind closed doors.

Complain about how serving them is so hard.

Forget the valuable time there is in a car ride.

Forget the phone number of your parents or in-laws for the free baby-sitting.

---

 

Some always and nevers in regards to a mother’s walk with the Lord:

Always…

Pray for your child every day.

Tell your child that you love them, and are thankful that God gave them to you.

Remember that your child is a gift from God, and was given to you for a purpose.

Put on your own “oxygen mask” first – if Mama is stressed, everyone is stressed!

Look to Jesus as you and your husband parent this dear, little one.

Resist the urge to compare yourself with others or become discouraged as you parent.

Let your child talk openly about their desires, likes, dislikes, and feelings. “My son, give me thine heart…” 

Find your child’s talents and encourage them to use them for the Lord.

Show respect to their father in all your words and actions.

Remember the importance of motherhood – it is the calling of God for your life, not an assignment to simply endure.

Be passionate about filling your own heart with the scriptures daily.

Involve your children in as many church ministries as you can.

Be intentional about teaching God’s Word to your children, remembering it is the Word of God that draws your children to God.

Respond with grace… even if there is egg yolk smeared on the floor.

Use a sweet tone of voice when talking to and about your child. Your voice will one day become their inner voice, so let it be the sweet ring of their mother’s speech that remains in their heart!

Admit your own sin to your children and ask for forgiveness if you have wronged them.

Never…

Complain when instead you can use your breath to praise Him for all you do enjoy.

Miss an opportunity to walk in the Spirit. Little eyes are watching.

Let a day go by without telling your baby about Jesus!

Put ministry before your family.

Make serving others a drudgery or self-focused.

Treat your children as “friends” or confide areas that may place heavy, unnecessary burdens on them.

Try to relive your life through your child. It places a great burden on you both.

Hide sin in the home or make it acceptable (both in parents and kids).

Forget that a child is an area of ministry for you and your spouse.

---

 

Some always and nevers in regards to training & disciplining children:

Always…

Teach gratitude by example.

Take the time to teach the right way, so you don’t have to “un-teach” the wrong way.

Use every opportunity to teach your child about God.

Teach your child to be responsible, reliable, and how to work.

Train and discipline your child to obey your voice so that one day they will obey God’s voice.

Discipline in love. “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” (Proverbs 13:24)

Never…

Withhold correction of your child, remember their soul is at stake.

Train and discipline your child for the purpose of pleasing others or looking good. This is a form of hypocrisy!

Discipline in anger. “…the rod of anger shall fail.” (Proverbs 22:8b)

Correct your child in front of others – it not only embarrasses them, but it hardens their heart toward you.

Give in to tears when training or disciplining. “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare him for his crying.” (Proverbs 19:18)

Believe that your child can do no wrong. They are a sinner from conception.

Let them win by getting their way.