Wait Until They Are...

How many times have I been in this situation? I'm typically with one of my very little kids...and some super bright individual says..."Oh, sure they are great now...just wait until they are in high school...(or teenagers...)...that's when they will really challenge you!"

Up until now, I always had a canned answer that said..."Actually, I am looking forward to their teenage years...we expect those years to be the best!"
Well, guess what?...we've finally arrived...and it is great!

Not only do I have a teenager (a nearly high schooler), but I also have one in junior high, three in grade school, one in preschool and a newborn... According to the critics, we've got the entire lineup of "problem children," everything from the screaming newborn, the terrible twos, preschool brats, elementary school challenges, junior high angst, and the dreaded high school attitude...so I am ready for every "potential" threat that the critics can toss at me (aka, "Oh...just wait till the baby hits the "terrible twos" or "wait until your boys get big enough to destroy the house...").

We've arrived and there is only one problem, and that is that there is "no problem." These are some of the best times we have ever had. We have fantastic relationships with each of our kids, especially the oldest ones, because we finally have kids that can reason, joke, communicate well and have a lot of fun along the way. We laugh together, play together, work together and the times are truly rich!

Quietly making noise,
Fletch

Comments

[smidge]

Here, here!!! It's a joy to see you reaping the rewards of faithful parenting and the grace of God! We enjoy your children too!

[Caroline]

You do have great kids, Fletch, we enjoy being around all of them!
~Howiesgal

[Copper's Wife]

Oh, my, been there, heard that, bought the t-shirt! First we had just girls, and it was, "You're lucky, you have girls.". hahahaha..... Parents who do not truly embrace the fact that their children are blessings from the Lord, and who are not burdened by the awesome task of raising them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, can never truly understand the incredible blessing that comes from the calling of parenting. Too bad for them.

[Katie]

I have to say, this is so good to hear right now because I have little ones and people say this kind of stuff to me, too and at times I blow them off and at times it freaks me out a little. I can already see a good difference in our kids, but the enemy does love to get in there and cause fear for the future from time to time and people's negative comments don't help.

[Sandi]

I am always curious why people feel the need to make such comments. We hear from the time they are adorable newborns "Just you wait...how they will be terrors before we know it". It boggles the mind to wonder why anyone would have children after all. (after all the threats of terror, discomfort and destruction)
Thanks to you and yours for sharing the joy and promise of what is to come.
On the next comment that comes your way you could bring up the cannibalism conversation you had with your kids!!!
Sandi

[Amy]

The funny thing is however, that I do dread being around ...some (of their) kids! Proverbs promises the grief that will come to parents from an undisciplined child and often these comments come from that! I plan to enjoy my kids every step of the way too, but like most good things this reward will not come without some work.
Whenever we are out in public we see it as our duty to show the world that you can enjoy your kids. It's good to know you'll cover California in this way while we work on Washington!
Amy