The One Parent Helpline You Need to Listen To
Today we have an active parent helpline whenever we need it. 24/7 resources at our fingertips! It is an age of immediate information attainment which sounds wonderful, right?
Or is it information overkill?
Parenting theories, studies, and opinions bombard us.
Doesn’t it sometimes just feel like too much? Leaving us overwhelmed and confused?
And ultimately, blocking us from the most important parent helpline.
God is the author of motherhood. But as we desperately search for answers elsewhere, we inadvertently drown out the humble voice of God. The barrage of information often overwhelms our brains and takes our focus off of Him.
What is blocking you from hearing the information from the most important parent helpline? #parentingtips #hope #MomentsofHope #linkup Share on XI see slumped shoulders and lines of worry running across beautiful faces. I hear insecurity in the voices of Moms trying desperately to raise their children. Sometimes it shows up in anger, hostility, or even sadness. No matter the age of their children, the struggle is there.
We lay awake wondering if we have made the right choices, invested in the right opportunities, or researched the best information. The options run through our minds and insecurity threatens our peace.
And it stops us from being the best parent we can be.
What is stopping you from being the best parent you can be? #parenthelpline #parentingtips #MomentsofHope Share on XI remember preparing for Motherhood by reading all the latest and greatest theories. I was on top it … until my first was actually born!
Exhaustion was inescapable especially since my little guy was born with health issues and in need of surgery. As is common with all babies, sleep was an issue. An issue and a priority! My sweet baby boy could not calm himself nor fall asleep. It took everything I had to get him to sleep and then he would wake hourly throughout the night. I read everything and got input from everyone!
I wanted to do this mothering thing right, but nothing worked.
Not one single theory.
He was closing in on 18-months old.
I was exhausted and I felt like a failure.
Until one day I stopped the madness and saw the unique child God had given me. The one who didn’t fit into any of the textbooks I’d been reading.
You see, our God is a God of purpose. And there is purpose in the specific lives He gives us to parent.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. –Romans 8:28
Our God is a God of purpose. He purposely made you parent of your unique child. #parentinghelpline #hope #MomentsofHope Share on X
Declaring the battle over.
I was done with Ferber, Sears, and all other methodologies. Instead, I listened to the humble voice of God. It’s not a booming voice we audibly hear, but rather a sensing of sorts. It’s not just any set of words, but ones that line up with the pages of our Bibles. I often smile and say I “hear” it in that place deep behind my belly.
Then I chose to believe myself. My baby didn’t need a method. He needed touch to comfort the insecurity living in his little soul.
I went against all methods. All recommendation.
I slept on a cushion on the floor alongside his crib with my hand angled awkwardly up through the slats of his crib.
All. Night. Long.
With his tiny hand holding mine, he slept peacefully.
He woke on occasion to ensure the presence of my hand, but within a couple of weeks, he didn’t even do that anymore. So, I began weaning my presence and within a month, my very sore body slept all night long in my own glorious bed!
For so long I kept trying to make it happen the right way. I tried so hard, I missed what God had already given me – the ability to mother the unique child He gave me. I missed Him – the most important parent helpline to listen to!
It was an experience that changed me. Education is valuable, but knowing God and the child He gave me is even more valuable. And parenting takes a balance of all three.
A Prayer
(grab this prayer as a printable in the Library of Hope! Just sign up to subscribe below!)
Coaching Question:
How might a specific issue you are dealing with right now change if you could see your child through God’s eyes?
Scripture:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. -Matthew 11:28
Next Step Challenge:
Do these three things to help you face your next parenting issue with confidence!
- Know God’s Word to stay in tune with His line of communication.
- Through prayer, stay in relationship with God. Those we know best, we hear and understand best.
- Let go of what should be and focus on what is. Ask yourself, “What does this very precious and unique child need in this situation?”
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Featured #MomentsofHope Post
Just like parenting, there is also a marriage helpline we need to listen to!
The more we know the Word of God and communicate with God through prayer, the closer we are to the heart of God and the closer we are to fully grasping right and wrong strategies.
“Prayer is an integral part of our arsenal against the enemy. Prayer is where we can communicate with our Heavenly Father. We can take our heart aches, our worries and concerns directly to the throne of God and He will listen.” -Angel Penn
Marriage is a covenant the enemy wants to destroy. Unity is not his game and what threatens unity most? You guessed it! Marriage. Angel from Experience His Freedom is hosting a series titled 28 Days of Godly Marriage. It is a series that brings you closer to your Helpline and will serve to strengthen your marriage!
Welcome @MrsAngelPenn as the #MomentsofHope featured writer with The Fight for Your Godly Marriage is Just Beginning #spiritualwarfare #prayer #fightforyourmarriage Share on XWhile you are there, please don’t forget to share some #MomentsofHope comment love ♥ And, Angel, please feel free to grab the Happily Featured Here button below!
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Lori, thank you for sharing this sweet story. I remember my firstborn being unusually hungry and how nothing I did by the book satisfied him. Now that he’s almost 14, I now know he has always had a lighting fast metabolism. Probably even within my womb, that was true! I love the truth here that each of our mothering stories is unique and we must trust God to lead us in our own paths. Blessings to you!
I can just imagine you feeding that boy nonstop, Sarah! And at 14, I bet he is eating your refrigerator empty constantly! lol! I know my 13 and 16-year-olds are doing that to me! Thank you so much for joining me here! I appreciate you so much!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
I’m crying reading this. That’s the Father I know. Who holds His children’s hands. Thank you for sharing this.
When I came back to faith my most precious times in those first few months of new faith were snuggled up to my then one year old in the middle of the night- praying, reading my Bible and worshipping God. This came after months of me doing the recommended: bringing her back to her bed, soothing her and starting all over again often up to 5× a night. We tried the crying it out too. None of it worked and I was exhausted and later I realized so depressed too. But with following God’s leading, getting up and staying with her on the couch and seeing it as an opportunity to commune with God my anger and frustration subsided, peace descended and my girl experienced a loving and compassionate Mama, as she slept soundly snuggled up to me and I put her back to bed where she then slept through. She’s now at the age she’s able to tell me about her dreams and I am not surprised she struggled to sleep back then. Now it’s an opportunity for her (and me) to lean into her Heavenly Father’s love and truth – that even in those dreams His Presence surrounds and protects her.
God is restoring pieces of my own heart in the process. I lived in fear so much as a little girl but never shared about it. I was of the generation of crying it out. I was placed in a room as a baby/toddler where my parents couldn’t hear me cry. My Mum said she didn’t know how long my crying stage carried on because she wouldn’t have heard me. It enabled my Mum to get through her days with us – but I am certain it didn’t help me in life. I’m so glad God is changing my heart and opening it to listen to His leading. It’s showing me how much He cared about my own struggles as a little girl too.
Thank you so much, sweet friend, for sharing your beautiful heart here. I am so glad you held your little one close when she needed you. I agree with you on the crying it out – it was a popular theory and so many Mommas just trying to do their best stuck to the method, breaking their hearts and not always helping their littles. Because my daughter suffers from Reactive Attachment Disorder from the orphanage in which she lived for the first almost 5 years of life, I have studied much on those first few years and brain development. The nurturing is needed for emotionally healthy brains. It’s a lot more complicated than just that, but for the sake of this message, unmet needs as a baby can bring about significant mental and emotional health issues.
I am praying for you as continue the journey of restoration. God loves you so much and He is calling you out into beautiful places of unknown. I’m excited for you and for all I know He will continue to do through you!
Thank you for joining me here and for sharing hope!
Hugs,
Lori
Lori, Thank you for sharing your story and reminding us God is where we need to turn. So often we get caught up in books or theories and forget to turn to God first. He still may use those books to help but sometimes he may tell us to go the opposite way. When he does we must do it with confidence. Funny I know this but I needed this reminder today. GOD FIRST.
I’m right there with you, friend. I know it and have to remind myself, too! ♥
Oh, my.
We called my oldest son “The Dobson Buster,” because we read everything by Dr. Dobson that we could get our hands on and everything seemed to backfire. It’s so easy to get attached to the guidebook instead of trusting the Guide.
Haha! I love that, Michele! The Dobson Buster! ♥
What a beautiful story and picture of what God does for His children.
Thank you, Ruth ♥
Great post, Lori. I feel sorry for mothers these days and all the barrage of information that comes at them from others and Dr. Google. There are a million theories and each child is different. What works for #1 does not work for #2. I see young mom’s trying one sleep technique for a few days, then another, and another. My little ones never slept through the night. And thankfully, I figured it was just them and didn’t let it bother me or try to change them. I hope we can be wise voices and when asked, not give another theory or opinion, but direct mothers back to God.
Amen, Theresa! Even today when I may share a parenting struggle, those who point me back to Jesus or simply give me a hug or show their support by being there are the ones who encourage me! Suggestions are welcome, but more effective when delivered with understanding. Thanks so much for joining me here again this week. I always enjoy connecting with you!
Much needed word for today, Lori! Thank you, sweet sister. <3
♥♥♥
I think it is a learning process. Hopefully we learn as we grow and get better and better at it.
Amen! I love the saying, “I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday!”
Wow Lori what a rough season to endure! So glad God’s wisdom shines through all the voices and is exactly what we need.
Hi Kelly! It’s funny, when I look back now, I miss that sweet little boy who just wanted to hold my hand through the night. I know I was deliriously sleep deprived and highly emotional, but the teenager now definitely doesn’t need my hand! lol! If only I’d trusted God as my helpline sooner, I would have avoided much of the struggle. But at least today my story can hopefully encourage others ♥ Thanks so much for joining me this week!
I just love this! I don’t have children, but I can attest to the stress and worry when I’m doing things the “right” way but that way isn’t working. This is such a freeing testimony to remember we can’t put God or His plans for us in a box. Sometimes what He desires us to do will seem upside down with what is right by the world’s standards. Thanks for sharing this truth!
Exactly, Emily! We doubt the equipping Christ does in us for whatever He sets before us. Whether it is in relationship, goals, dreams, or parenting, He is our number one helpline ♥ Thank you for joining me here this week!
AMEN!
Thanks so much for joining me, Nylse!
Such truth and so very well said, Lori! It brought back so many memories of my children at that stage and season. Hard to understand when God created us to be mothers that we have such a hard time trusting the instincts that He gave us.
Isn’t it like the enemy and his go-to trick? Using the world to convince us God has not and will not sufficiently equip us? Thanks so much for visiting, Pam!
Great post Lori, even as a parent with adult children I constantly seek the Lord’s wisdom , seasons change but God’s wisdom is what we need for each season of life, especially in our changing role as a parent.
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
His wisdom is the most important! I know that as I navigate the teenage years now, I am on my knees just as often! Thanks for visiting ♥
God is our helpline! I remember trying to follow the books to a T about how to get my children to sleep. Of course looking back I wish I could have rested and trusted more and lived in the moment instead of always worrying that I was doing it wrong. This is a fresh reminder to walk in daily grace, seeking my Father as my helpline.
Me, too, Val. Aye, the frustration I suffered because my baby wouldn’t fit into ANY box! If only I’d understood the uniqueness with which God makes us all- that there are tools to help, but we most certainly are not one size fits all 🙂 Thank you, friend, for visiting!
Oh I love this! Yes and Amen! I have been having similar conversations with my Girlie –the new Mama… and man, the information coming at her is so much greater (or more volume, anyway!) than what we had available way back when! 😉 Great post, my friend!
Hi Karrilee,
The amount of info felt astronomical back then, I can only imagine the overwhelm new Moms must feel. Praying for your girl! She has a great Mom to encourage her along the way, though! ♥
Thank you, Melanie! Your encouragement is so appreciated and GOOD for my heart!
Thanks for hosting!
I am not a parent, but I so appreciated your perspective. I work at a church as the director of youth and family. And I want to help my parents do the best job they can. I cannot do the job for them but I can be their best allies. I am reminded of Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Blessed to be your neighbor at Kelly’s today!
Thank you for joining us here, Tara! You have a unique position to influence so many parents. I’ve been in leadership in Children’s Ministry, as well, and there are such unique opportunities – a gift really. Pointing them to the most important Helpline is the most powerful thing you can do! Blessings to you!