Just a few weeks ago, when Jenny turned four months, I posted a small update on her.
In that update I stated that she was sleeping through the night.
And she was.
But it was at that precise moment that our troubles began.
Oh, she is still sleeping through the night. That is, once she actually gets to sleep.
It’s the getting to sleep that has proved to become quite the struggle around here.
I always feel terrible for voicing an inkling of a complaint about her or any of my other children for that matter.
Why do I feel that way??
Somewhere along the way, in making this a positive place, I’ve become afraid to make it an honest place.
Life isn’t always perfect.
My life isn’t always perfect.
What am I saying??
My life is never even close to perfect.
And that’s okay, but I don’t want to skirt around our struggles, our ups-and-downs, our heartaches, and our challenges because they are not perfect.
In many ways I don’t think I want perfect anyway. Perfection doesn’t leave room for growth and for need. Perfection doesn’t allow for transparency.
So…we’ve been working on this sleep thing with Jenny, but it has been hard because life happens.
Last week alone we had several interruptions that disrupted any attempt to establish a routine.
Between church, dinner with friends, more church, ballet lessons, and a church social our days and nights were a mess. Everyone was becoming over tired and stressed.
For the next two weeks, my husband is on leave for work, taking a much needed break.
I’m greatly looking forward to this time that is going to provide us with the opportunity to get “organized” as a family.
We have nothing on the calendar but time to focus on our family, resting, and establishing ourselves into a routine.
Jennifer Scruggs says
Transparnecy is SO powerful!!! Our culture tells us we are supposed to “have it all together” and I think this is one of the MAJOR lies that SO MANY Christians have bought into. Being transparent is essential to “spuring each other on” and “iron sharpening iron”. If we aren’t honest about our struggles and shortcomings, we miss an opportunity to encourage those around us– because, like you said, NONE of us are perfect!
In living with and caring for Lilly, I discovered a HUGE root of anger and bitterness had taken hold in my heart. Of course, my kids were facing the consequence of my struggle with anger. I started a Bible Study in my BF class, with alot of new Christians whom I did not know very well— “She’s Gonna Blow” by Julie Barnhill. I was very honest about my struggles with anger as I lead this study. This opened up SO MANY doors– these ladies thought I was some kind of super Christian because of lessons I had taught in BF on Sunday morning. I had NO idea how POWERFULLY God could use my honesty about my struggles to impact others walk with Christ. These ladies have grown SO MUCH– and I have too– through our transparnecy about our NEED for JESUS.
So– all that to say– BRAVO. 🙂
Also– Bravo for creating margins in your life– You do this well, and it encourages me. We are just now getting ready to start our first “outside” (ie not church)– upward basketball for Nathan. It’s hard enough doing children’s choir and Bible Study on Sunday nights and Awanas on Wed nights. I can relate to your craving for routine!!! I will be praying for Jenny’s sleeping– and for you as you focus on tweeking your family’s routines. I am praying that as she grows, she will become more “flexible” and able to adapt to changes in her routine. 🙂 Sorry to write a mile long comment– I read every one of your posts– and just save up my commenting, it seems. 🙂
Love your guts!!!
Jenn
Andrea says
I definitely understand your need for routine. I am finding it harder and harder as my children grow older and have more activities with friends and school, etc. I find myself being very grumpy and non-pliable….and I don’t like it. I think I am going to aim for certain days/times for routine, and allow for more spontaneous activities on certain days. It will be hard to “let go”. Maybe we will all be happier?
Thanks for sharing!
Laura says
Perfection means there is no failure – and the only way we truly learn is from our mistakes.
I find myself becoming a hermit for the first few months to establish this routine and it was evident today when I was not involved in a meeting for a halloween get together. I was not hurt or upset, just a small realization that I cut myself off for my children. Is it the only way to do it? No. But it’s how I do it. I now have two children (6 months and almost 4 years) who sleep through the night (7-7) and I can breathe, enjoy the days to come, and also get a good sleep at night. I am sort of like a monster without a good 8-9 hours of sleep.
I wish you luck in your trials. It’s hard but worth it. If you find yourself needing help, I might have said this before, but the Baby Whisperer helped me with any problems I had.
LifeAtTheCircus says
I can so relate… I desire to be transparent, yet don’t want to come across as complaining. You do a great job of being real but not whiny.
Our schedule also is packed and our little man is also not sleeping through the night perfectly either. I have found that it is harder to go “by the books” when juggling so many other children’s schedules… we tend to have to make everyone give and take a little.
Hope you guys are able to enjoy this break and get the routine you crave.
Keep up the good work!
.-= LifeAtTheCircus´s last blog ..I love this girl =-.