A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15:13 NIV)
The grumpies have struck … full force. Myself and all of the children are infected with this nasty disease!
It’s the truth though isn’t it? Grumpiness is just like a virus, it starts with one person and spreads to everyone else. As a mom, it is difficult for me to admit, but the grumpies usually start with me! I know, gasp!
We are all prone to the grumpies, but when we have so many little ones in our care, they are bound to “catch them” if exposed long enough by the very mother that wants so terribly to do everything “right”.
I worry because one of our twins tends to be grumpy much of the time. But the other one is a very happy guy. I could sit around and meditate on this concept all day long, I could worry and blame myself, wondering where I went wrong and how to fix it. This wouldn’t be entirely unusual for me, but it isn’t what I need to do.
I simply need to go to God and ask for help. Yes, I’ll need to work at getting rid of the grumpies too, but asking for a pleasant and peaceful spirit will definitely help. Giving the stress behind the grumpiness (or the hormones) to Him doesn’t hurt either.
Whatever is done, they need to leave, the environment is stifling and yucky. I fear that an undertone of grumpiness has been around for quite a while and that it only occasionally shows it’s true colors. I may even need to ask my kiddos for forgiveness. That is something that can be such a learning experience for both parent and child. As we realize that we need to be ”real” with our children and as they realize that everyone makes mistakes but there’s better ways to handle it.
So how do you handle the grumpies? Are you infected right now?
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July 23rd, 2008 at 8:27 am 1
Well Shera, I handle the grumpies with 20mg of Prozac a day. And, sometimes (most of the time), I feel like I need a higher dosage! And beyond that I have to ask God to please help me. I also try to remember how blessed I am to have all of these children. And, how the bible says that a house that is full of children is a blessed house. And, I really get a grip when, I watch a show about women desperately trying anything to have children. And, I’ve been blessed with four! However, mothering is a hard job and we need a break like everyone else. Unfortunately, we don’t get a week of vacation after a year on the job!
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:21 am 2
I too can catch that case of the grumpies easily as well! Take the time to take time for yourself! I find my “special time” around 10:30 p.m.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:10 pm 3
Chocolate, coffee or wine. I wouldn’t suggest all three at the same time, but any combo usually does the trick for me. We are not stricken with this illness, but are battling a bad case of the lazies. Symptoms include: no clean laundry, dirty floors, and empty pantry. It’s awful, but it lasts up to 2 weeks I hear.