Attitude
As many of you know I have several teens/tweens living at home right now. So of course hormones and attitudes are.. you might say CRAZY! I really love teens..I like to have fun with them more than even pre-schoolers..but sometimes..AAcckk..
The other day however, the second my daughter got home from school I knew it was going to be one of those tense afternoons with her. The first thing I said snapped at her was “go back and check your attitude at the door Missy!” This may seem a little harsh, but after all, she comes home like this at least 2 or 3 days a week. Sometimes my patience runs thin..especially when there seems to be no apparent reason. (and yes I do kindly ask)
Well a few days later, I was out doing errands. By the time I got home I was tired and irritable. I knew my kids would be arriving home soon from school and the thought of putting up with any disrespect made me even more irritated. I started to think of all of the things I would say to any one of them should they choose to walk through that front door with a bad attitude. The kinds of consequences they would receive if they even looked at me in a wrong way.
As I sat in my car fuming about all these things in my driveway God’s voice spoke to my heart and said:
CHECK YOUR Attitude AT THE DOOR MISSY!
Oops! Wow..my attitude was as bad as my kids have been. My attitude was not loving, not thinking the best, not joyful or cheerful. It was just plain grouchy and well…let’s just say it..sinful.
Yep, we parents are sinners too. My attitude, just as much as my kids, has to be put into check also. Even more since I am the example they will follow. So after confessing this too the Lord and asking for His Holy Spirit to change me and my attitude, I felt much better.
It’s funny how our whole outlook on life changes when we have God’s perspective on things. When we allow God to work in our hearts. We must also be very careful how we allow others to influence how we behave or think. Will I act or react? It’s up to me.
By the way..nobody came home in a bad mood that day 
What about you? Do you have these days? Do you act or react usually?
I have many days like this. My husband and I are in our 60’s now, and I always saw this time as ‘our time’. But then a couple years ago my son and daughter-in-law were diagnosed with Mental Health issues (which accounted for why they couldn’t get their marrried lives working right). There are days when they just need a mom – all day long, so somedays I wake up with that attitude – not today. I won’t allow it. I don’t want to.
So I’m loving your little post. I’m going to make that and hang it in my office. If they need me, I should feel blessed, not frustrated. Thanks for this reminder.
Oh I’m sorry DM..that would be so hard. What a good Mom you are for being there for them..they are very lucky. I hope that you and your hubby can catch some sweet breaks together sometimes..a vacation or something. You deserve it!
Blessings!
That is so true, Thanks for the remainder, Shari.
🙂 Thanks for stopping by Erika! Blessings to you!
What a beautiful post! I can sure be testy but I realize that kids will emulate us.I have to remind myself of your post!
Oh thank you Melissa! Boy we all need reminders..that’s for sure LOL 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings!
Hey Shari! I have 1 tween so far and she has started to display a bit of a bad attitude from time to time and it is no fun. Like you said, sometimes for no reason at all. It’s not easy not to react but I’m glad I get those messages just when I feel like blowing up. Thanks for the reminder! ;0)
Hi Alvina! Yes they can be a little testy for sure 🙂 Gotta love em though. It’s tough growing up. I have to remind myself of that all the time 😉 Thanks for stopping by! Blessings to you!
I’m usually pretty low-key but I think we ALL have to keep our attitudes in check! I tend to give the attitude right back at my kids that they give me and then I have to think, what am I teaching them?
I’m pretty low key also Crystal..BUT I do have my limits 🙂 LOL I guess it was one of those times for sure..I’m glad that before I exploded all over everyone, God spoke to my heart 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!
Thank you, Shari Lynne!
YES! 🙂 Praise GOD that He makes it easy to get back on track when we run to His arms! So blessed we are by His love – and His perfect Way!
Many more blessings to you and yours!! 🙂
For sure Caroline! 🙂
I think everyone has those days :O) I only have one tween and that is enough for me.lol
LOL 🙂 I know right 🙂 They are fun though! Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings to you!
that’s a really good message. sometimes we give our kids a hard time about their grouchiness but we are grouchy too
That is so true Jennifer! Do as I say not as I do..yikes..convicted 🙁 Blessings to you and thanks for stopping by!
I definitely have to be cautious not to get pulled into the attitude. I’m supposed to be the adult, after all.. =)
I still have a hard time letting go of my pride, and expecting my kids to be little cherubs. Thank for the great post.
Ouch that pride for sure 🙂 I totally get it! I pray that if I attempt to be humble that my kids will also…sooner or later 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Blessings!
yes I definitely do. I often have to “check my attitude” so I can be a loving wife and mother after a long, stressful day at work. It is so worth it and our relationships are better because of it!
Good for you Renee! It is so worth it! Thanks for stopping by! Blessings to you!
Beautiful…and written from the heart!
Thank you, Shari Lynne! I appreciate so much your humility and your eagerness to run to the Lord when you stumble. We all know too well how easy it is to get off-track, and I thank you for the encouragement you share from a humble heart!
May God bless you and your beautiful family! 🙂
Hi Caroline! Thanks so much for stopping by! You are very sweet Caroline 🙂 It is definately easy to get off track..but thanks to a God that loves us so much easy to get back on 🙂 LOL
Blessings to you!
I think all parents have days like that, for the most part I try my best to act instead of reacti. I’m very guilty of reacting to bad situations.
Naomi
Hi Naomi! Yes I think we all have those days for sure. It’s easy to react instead of act to situations. Especially when our patience wears thin. But I want to teach my kids self control and the only way to do that is by being an example…which can be hard 🙂
Blessings to you!