A Fresh Perspective

Sometimes we mommas need an attitude adjustment. 

About a month or two ago, a friend from high school posted something on Facebook that has really stuck with me: 

Instead of saying, "I have to..." try saying, "I get to..."

For example: 

I have to listen to my screaming, crying, fussy, teething baby all day long. 
I get to listen to my screaming, crying, fussy baby as he sprouts his first teeth and help soothe him. I know he feels comforted being in his momma's arms, and I feel so lucky that it is me who gets to help him feel a least a little bit better each day. Actually, I am beyond blessed to just to be a momma, as I know many would love to know how it feels to have their own baby in their arms, fussy or not.

I have to wash, dry, fold, and put away many, many, MANY loads of laundry each week. 
I get to wash, dry, fold, and put away the many clothes my children, my hub, and myself are lucky enough to own. We each have our own closet. Closets that contain many clothes and not just any clothes. But different clothes for different seasons. And shoes. We each own numerous pairs of shoes. I am so blessed to be living a life that allows me to own more than one pair of shoes. And clothes for different seasons. 

I have to pick up the bajillion bits of teeny, tiny pieces of paper that cover my son's bedroom floor each afternoon.
I get to pick up the bajillion bits of teeny, tiny pieces of paper that cover my son's room, which represent the remnants of his artistic endeavors during "Room Time." Not only that, I get to see his proud smile each day when he shows off his newest drawn-and-cut creations.

I have to collect money from school parents only to then purchase, wrap, and deliver end-of-the-year teacher gifts.
I get to collect money from school parents and buy gifts for two wonderful teachers who have chosen to use their spare time to help educate my young child. Not to mention, my children live in a country where they not only get to attend school but are expected to. Wow! How lucky we are!

I have to see my daughter throw fits when she doesn't get her way, resulting in tears at least 10 times daily.
I get to see my daughter throw fits and cry when she doesn't get her way, which allows me the opportunity to teach her about emotional expression and help her learn that we don't always get what we want--which just so happens to be an awesome reminder for me each day!

I have to parent on my own while my hub is away on business. 
I get to parent on my own while my hub is away and working hard to provide for our family. This challenges me to learn new ways of coping when there isn't an extra set of hands to help me and really push myself harder than I ever thought I could, all while being reminded of the importance of giving myself grace when I am tired, worn, weary and making (daily) mistakes as a momma. 

I have to load three kids into our massive vehicle multiple times a day, buckling and lifting in and out, over and over again.
I get to load three (healthy!) kids into our (safe!) vehicle each day, which means that our days are filled with (often fun!) places to be, that we are blessed to be able to afford a reliable mode of transportation, and that we have carseats that can keep my precious cargo safe. 

I have to drop off my crying baby in a church nursery only to provide care for other children while their parents attend church. 
I get to drop off my crying baby in a church nursery, where he will learn that the world is still a safe and a-okay place even when momma and daddy are not around. And then, I get to watch precious little boys and girls learn all about Jesus while their parents enjoy a much-deserved hour of their own quiet time with the Lord. 

I have to endure two to three cartoons each morning rather than watching my own preferred news program. 

I get to endure two to three cartoons each morning, which allows me time to enjoy my coffee, talk with my hub, and get our day going, all in golden silence while the kiddos eat their breakfast. 

See what I mean? Game changer. 

Now, I have to go and tend to my baby, who woke up early from his afternoon nap. I get to tend to my baby, who woke up early from his afternoon nap, which means extra snuggles, just the two of us. What a lucky, lucky momma. <3