Ah, parenthood. I can’t imagine any other job in the world that can make a person feel more powerful or more inept (usually within minutes of each other).
Last night, our youngest had a devil of a time getting to sleep. At first, I was accommodating (fine, one more hug). After an hour, I became annoyed (he’s had the same bedtime routine for 8 years – what’s different about tonight?). Then, long about 11:30 pm, I downshifted to empathetic (poor kid; even he can’t fake it this long). So, I put him in our bed, snuggled up next to him, and sang to him. By the end of the first verse, he was relaxed and still. By the end of the song, he was out like a light.
Fast forward six hours.
This morning, our oldest began his day with tears, begging to stay home. School is never fun for him, but it’s been especially hard the last few weeks. I cajoled him. I offered a reward for making it through the day. I pulled out the old standby, “Life is full of things we don’t want to do.” Nothing worked … until I did my best impression of a NASCAR crew chief. Our racing-obsessed son cracked a smile and I knew I was in. I proceeded to rattle off every phrase I know (which ain’t many) and referred to the rest of the morning routine in racing terms.
His breakfast was his “fuel” and “You need to pit, son. You need to pit.” was his chief’s way of getting him to fuel up. Telling him “So-and-so is gonna lap you, man,” got him to go faster. And the rest was me being ridiculous, but it worked. He and his brother made it out the door on time.
When the bus was gone and the house was quiet, I began thinking how much I like the idea of being my family’s crew chief – the voice in their ears, praising them when their race is going well, telling them about the dangers ahead, keeping them safe, but letting them do the driving. I must confess to a certain amount of pride when I can help my children work through moments like last night and this morning. At a time when my skills aren’t (yet) wanted in the work world, it’s nice to feel needed at home.
Will you please publish these and replace Joyce Meyer as the leading inspiration for Christian women?! This is awesome. Certainly helps me in my preparations for teaching PW’s lesson on “being the children of God.” Thank you, friend.
Absolutely. I’m surprised her publishers haven’t contacted me already (perhaps they haven’t heard I have some free time on my hands right now?
Here’s a question for you and your PW (and me, too): I wonder what God sings to me when He/She has tried everything else to get me to rest? (For our youngest it’s usually “Nothing’s Gonna Harm You” from Sweeney Todd)
Leah,
Thanks for making me smile imagining that scene. Prayers for your family in seeking what’s next. Please pray for ours too. We’re sorting through 13 years worth of clutter for the first time in earnest. Thanks for sharing your journey.
I’m enjoying following your journey, too (via FB and your blog). I’m sure you’ve read enough by me to know how tempting it is for me to come and stand curbside as you clean out your clutter … oh, the possibilities!
Glad I read the comments too. Very impressed that you singing from Sweeney Todd to your kids. In addition to being effective now that will additionally pay back handsomely in “that is where that song is from – mom you are so cool” points. I remember the first full night home from the hospital with our son Cameron. He would not go to sleep. Every time I went to put him down those eyes would pop open. The closer turned out to be “Thunder Road”. Was wasting my time with all those nursery ryhmes.
Ooooh, Thunder Road is a good one. I might need to add that one to my repertoire, to help balance out the uncool points that come with the couple of Carpenters songs I sing
Oh, they’re wanted in the work world. They just don’t know yet that there’s someone out there who has them in spades and is looking for a place to use them right now.
My kids were song-resistant, but I sang to them anyway (mostly ’40s big band stuff I learned from my Dad). I think they were waiting me out so I’d put on “Singing in the Rain” or “Anchors Aweigh!” That would usually do it. (Going for the originals, maybe?)
As for what God sings to me, I find it’s interesting to note what earwigs I wake up with. “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, “Sheep Go to Heaven, Goats Go to Hell”, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” are some of the more recent ones.