transition

When this little blog started back in 2007, this little girl was the baby.

 

She was the only child and therefore, the absolute center of our worlds.

Since then, she has gracefully agreed to share her universe with two more babies.

And while those transitions took place, she morphed from baby, to toddler, to little girl.

And now we are in a totally new territory -

school-aged girl.

Let me stress - this is new territory.

While I have always loved her spirit and imagination, I am finding that parenting a school-aged child is less about loving chubby cheeks (that allow toddlers to get away with so much) and more about loving the ideas their brilliant little minds form.

As every mother and father understand, parenting is ever-evolving. 

At this particular stage, there is less of tantrums and more talking back.

There is much more standing up for herself (which is good - just different).

There is also much more sharing from her:

sharing of dreams (for the future), nightmares (from last night). . . of observations, and inclinations.

And I can't even begin to count the number of questions asked in a five-minute period.

Her growth means I need to grow.

I need to transition my parenting tactics from those appropriate for a little girl to a much bigger little girl. 

I've been pondering, and honestly wrestling a little bit with how I can achieve this -

 how I can be the best for her.

I certainly don't want the peak of my parenting career to be when my kids are three.

Don't mistake me - I am excited and (honestly) honored to make this transition.

I am just acknowledging that it isn't as natural as it has been in the past for me.

And I want to do it right.

I had an experience the other night that reminded me I've been doing it in the wrong order.

I realized that I have been "talking it out" more than "praying it out."

I was looking at our baby boy and was overwhelmed with love for him. 

I want to consistantly have those same overflowing feelings for my eldest. 

Though the love is obviously there, on particularly "trying" days, those feelings are too easily washed over.

Then the thought (which I know was inspiration) came to me that my joy for my newborn is constant because my service for him is constant.

I am (almost) always holding, feeding, changing, serving Grant.

The thought continued . . .

You want to feel more love for your oldest?  Serve her more.

Serve her without a thought - just like you would the baby.

Wow!

I know the call for more service doesn't mean I should overextend myself. 

It just means I can be much more mindful of her.

I can look for ways to show her my love - and then my love will flow more readily.  

I don't intend to over simplify this equation.

I know it will still take so much effort.

But I am so excited for the inspiration to start me in the right direction.

And the reminder that prayer will continue to help me stay on the right path.

And now I am so looking forward to this transition!

I know she is.