Deep Thoughts for a Monday

I'm a parent. Are you? I remember being a teen like it was yesterday. No kidding. I don't think I've aged a day past sixteen (although my kids will attest otherwise), and I'm never, NEVER growing up.

Anyhow, I was listening to a speaker yesterday about the importance of teen girls and the relationships they have with their mothers. Essentially, they said teenage girls need their mother's more during the time between 12 and 18 than any other time in their lives, and that should be a mother's serious focus. It kind of reminded me of this:



And especially this:



What kind of relationship do you/did you have with your parents as a teen? What would you do differently if you could go back? 

Choices, Choices

Have you ever been stuck in a phase of life where it was difficult to find happiness?

I remember living in NYC, how cramped, loud, smelly and exhausting every day was. Strangely, it was also one of the best times of my life. Having just given birth to #3, I learned how to homeschool my 6 yr old--while on double diaper duty with a 1 yr old. Every day was a struggle, start to finish. I could have been VERY miserable there, but a couple things happened.

1. I started seriously into my writing career. I met a wonderful agent who was kind enough to look over my most recent book and encouraged my growth and development. That gave me hope.

2. I really had the chance to focus on my family, and just my family. Spending that much time with my littles, I finally fell in love with being a mommy. (Yeah, it took 6 years--some of us learn faster than others.)

It didn't have to be the crucible of NYC that taught me these things, but the adverse circumstances helped.

I remember a time a couple years ago as I stood, hands submerged in soapy water while I cleaned dishes--without a dishwasher--and grumbled about the never ending chore. Suddenly it struck me. There will always be dishes. I can't change that. What I could change was my attitude, and from that moment on I tried to think of the family I was serving every time a job got especially arduous. I'd think about the clean/safe environment I was creating for them, and how it would add to the overall peace and happiness of our household.

My mom who is away on a service mission said it best: "Love what you are doing - and if you aren't doing that, it is time to refocus."

Happy Monday, friends. How's your focus today?