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Regret Free Parenting
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Last Friday, I was browsing the dollar book section at Mardel and came across this book, Regret Free Parenting by Catherine Hickem. I gave it a quick scan and decided that for $1 I might as well give it a try.
Here’s a quote from pages 25-26:
Think about this: You represent what “normal” is to your children. Your daughters likely will mother as you mother. Your sons likely will expect their wives to mother the way you did. In addition to the gratification and challenge of motherhood is a multigenerational responsibility. If you are a mother, you are impacting untold generations. A mother’s purpose is to give all of herself to uniquely impart values, faith, beliefs, and love into the children with whom she’s been entrusted. Embrace the journey of motherhood with the belief that you will empower your children to fulfill the purpose for their creation. Mothering with purpose is recognizing that your very existence defines love, gives life, protects innocence, believes in the impossible, and views life’s struggles as opportunities to enrich your children’s lives.
Ladies, if you live near a Mardel, would you please buy this book for yourself? It is like a warm blanket for a momma’s mind and heart to curl up in. I really think you’ll bless yourself.
Blessings, mommas,
Lindsey
Wow, Lindsey. Thank you so much for sharing! God’s perfect timing as always.
This is exactly what I needed to hear today. DH and I were just talking, just now, about how each of our DDs is turning out so differently from the other, and how we/I need to be much more purposeful with the older one right now. She is in such need of very directed, intentional mothering and nurturing right now.
Unfortunately, not only do I not live near a Mardel, I’ve never even heard of a Mardel. 🙂
But I will find that book and read it. And I’ll have you to thank.
Thanks, Lindsey. I found it for my Kindle on Amazon for $2.79. Looking forward to reading it!
Michelle
So true! Too often it’s easy to get caught up in thinking we moms have to create a special activity or do this or go there for our young children. When actually just existing and being their loving, caring mama is all they really need. It’s THAT simple, thankfully. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
This reminds me of something I read years ago:
“What if your face is the only face of Jesus your child sees.”
Reminds me to appreciate them for the precious gifts they are, and blow off the little things. Also to smile more!
I will Amazon this the next chance I get – thank you Lindsey.
And Jenni, I am pretty sure Mardel is just a Southern thing :0).
Tears . . as I was just reflecting on what my children see in my lately. And it’s not good. This is exactly what I need to remind myself. I am becoming my mom and that is exactly who I always said I was NOT going to be. I MUST stop the cycle now. Thank you ladies for constantly reminding me of who I am suppose to be.
Lindsey is so lucky, Mardel’s is a wonderful Christian store that I have seen in both Texas and Arkansas and I think it is mostly in those areas – but not here in the Midwest or in Mississippi when we lived there. Thanks goodness for Amazon and other Christian stores though for buying these excellent books. It sounds like an excellent read and worth looking for.
Hey Misty – it could be worse… you could be becoming your DAD, like me! 🙂
Seriously, it is just not a pretty picture, but I’m certain my dad never thought of how he was being around us kids. Did your mom? Probably not. My dad was just “always right”. No debate.
So I’m doubly thankful that regular ol’ moms, like you and I, are willing and able to look closely and take stock. That in itself is a huge gift! A cause for rejoicing!
When I lived in Missouri, I would drive across the state line into Kansas just to go to Mardel’s – I miss it terribly. Lindsey, thank you for sharing this quote. We need these constant reminders, knowing that our time of greatest influence in our childrens lives passes by so quickly. May Gods grace continually be present, as we seek to parent without regret.
Just got my copy of this book in the mail today and I’ve been anxious to get started all day…. can’t it be bedtime yet?!
I’ve never read that book, but I just want to say that my husband and I were homeschooled in conservative families.
I don’t parent exactly like my mom and my husband is great with me mothering very, very differently than his mother did.
So, while I get the idea of being an example and striving to be faithful in our representation of Jesus to our children and everyone else in our lives, I think we can have an unrealistic expectation if we take the whole “multi-generational” thing to seriously.
I want my children to follow Jesus, period. But whether or not my boys marry women who sleep with their babies, try to eat healthy, homeschool and raise chickens is entirely between them, God and the girl. As a child of the “multi-generational” teaching, it can be suffocating if there isn’t a clear distinction between what is an issue of righteousness and what is an issue of personal choice.
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