Cultivating a Heart for Motherhood Series

Patience! I know one of my greatest struggles as a mom is having a patient heart with my children.

I’m in! I struggle in the early morning getting out of the house to school. I don’t want to rush them, but they are so slow! It’s a balancing act for sure!

How exciting and fitting! I will be creating discipleship plans for mothers and another set for mother’s to do with their children. Woot!

Hi Joy, My greatest struggle is the lack of sleep I get (really wakeful babies!) and the impact of this on my health. I’ve had glandular fever twice in the last year. I’m wondering if you have some wisdom to share about being a mama in amongst the sickness and tiredness, as I have read on your blog that you have had your share of health issues too. Thanks

I will definitely be following along with your study! My biggest struggle right now is letting go of control and resting in God’s sovereignty. I have 2 kiddos (3.5 y/o and 6.5 m/o) and I am struggling with PPD. My littlest one has wheat, dairy and (a trip to the E.R.yesterday because of a severe allergic reaction later…) egg allergies. All of these piled on top of one another overwhelms me so much, but I feel so strongly that I need to protect that I micromanage their lives and forget to trust God. I need to learn to quiet my soul before Him.

Wow, I really want to know what you will be writing. So, I’m in !
As for what I’ve been struggling… well… sleep, quiet time with the Lord, and… balancing family & church services. I really want to know your experiences !

I don’t have any great words but I just wanted to let you know that I am in the thick of it with you!!!! It’s hard to remember that this is just a season of life, but it is. By the grace of God we will get through it!

I am so excited that God has called you to do this series! He knew that I would need it! Thank you so much! I am a new single mom (just adopted two baby sisters this past December). There is so much that I need help with. A big thing that I am working on is anger. I want to be a gentle, loving mom!!!

Excited about your series. I’m not a young mama and I have been at this parenting thing for awhile now. We have 5 blessings ages 2 months to 12 years old. I lose my vision sometimes. In the midst of dishes, diapers, and other disasters I forget the bigger picture. Any thoughts on how to remember that it’s so much bigger than “right now and this dirty diaper?”.

I’ll be here and I’ll be sure to tell my readers about it !
Love you,
Courtney

Yes, I am joining you. My struggle is being an older mama and not enough energy to :play” with her. I have 2 older children (21 and 19). She is alone without the others as they have moved out.

I need this series so much! My biggest struggle is in finding joy in the midst of this stressful time of raising littles and patience in relating to them. And dealing with anger on those really hard days.

I will be following along. I’m not a new Mama my baby is 11. This will help me to keep my focus.

I’m in too. What I struggle with varies from day to day, but I love being intentional in my mothering so I’m sure there will be lots to learn here!

I am in–this has been on my heart the last year or so encouragement would be great!!

So excited for this, my biggest struggle is patience!!

Can’t wait for this series–very timely! Currently my biggest struggle is not letting dealing with problems in my relationship with my husband sap all my energy so I have nothing but impatience and exasperation left for my beautiful boys, 5 and 1.5. Plus being the spiritual head of household because my husband isn’t a believer. (my focus is shifting however, I’m learning to do what I can do for our relationship–and watching God work his magic– without letting is suck the life out of me….it’s getting better as I lean harder into God but it’s a struggle to stay positive.)

So glad to hear there is some help. I am in with you can’t wait to see what God has placed on your heart to share. My biggest struggle is when the kids disobey, having patience with them, and trying to find the joy in being needed continously with little ones.

Oh, yes, I am really looking forward to this. Thank you for putting this together.

All in!

Looking forward to it, Joy. I think establishing rhythm is my greatest desire/struggle in this season – to learn to create movement to our day that keeps us centered, makes space for the necessary tasks and litanies of the day as well as creating room for their little hearts to bloom and for my own sanity!

Am looking forward to your thoughts. As another “older” mom who ministers to younger moms I am always happy to have other, godly advice from which to draw.
- Laurie

I am so in! My greatest struggle is finding time to be everything I need to be. I am a single mom who works 45 hours a week to support us but by the time I get home I am so exhausted I know I do not give my daughter that time she needs. Also being consistent with our devotions… Can’t wait!

I’m in too! Right now my biggest struggle is meeting all the needs daily (and they are all so different). My kids are age 5, 3, and 8 months. I want to be a gentle mother and not one who angers so easily!

My children would no longer qualify as little ones, at 12 and 9. But I know that the message you share will be meaningful to me , too. I plan on tuning in. How often will you post on this series? Daily, weekly, etc.

I think Patience is definately my biggest struggle…esp when dealing with attitude issues, talking back, etc. Looking forward to this series!

Being a mom is my struggle…lol. I can’t imagine being anything else at this point in my life but I struggle with nearly every aspect of my position as shepherd of my littles…well, except the loving part; that’s easy. Looking forward to this series and yes, I will be joining you for it! Thank you for your blog…it is a HUGE blessing for me and everyone I share it with.

My situation is similar! Know that you are not alone! Take it one day at a time and know that God is faithful and will sustain you even in the hardest times.

Looking forward to what you have to share, Joy! I am blessed by you !

Can’t wait. I am a mom of a 11 month old baby girl. At this moment I can’t pinpoint 1 thing I’m struggling with, overall I could just use encouragement and wisdom on how to graciously run a home, making sure I balance my time wisely being a wife and new mom.

I am looking forward to this I have one daughter who is 11 months old…as she approaches her first birthday, I am beginning to see more and more of her own little (but strong!) will showing through! I am anticipating parenting getting harder (and more fun) as we go…but I struggle with fear – from failing her as a mom, to doing something wrong, to accidents or illness, ANYTHING! I have been practicing the simple discipline of declaring my trust in Jesus every day, all day…no matter how I feel. I think your blog will be extra support and encouragement for me. Thank you!

I will be following you. I am a mom of 3 boys (8,6,3) Doing a better job of teaching them God’s Word through out the day. This year my 2 oldest are not home schooled for the first time, I miss them and have found I am not in the same teaching mode with my 3 year old.

I think it’s giving them grace that is hard. I find myself trying to parent with rules/expectations and when they disobey, have a bad attitude, aren’t wanting to share, fighting with a sibling, etc…I rule with an iron fist rather than having grace. I just read the book “Give them Grace: Dazzling your kids with the Love of Jesus”….it was awesome…now just to put it into practice!! I want things to come out of me with “gentleness” not “harshness”.

I am so glad about this new series!
Well, as for now, I struggles with everything!
We are having a baby girl in about 3 weeks and we are raising a little girl (2y) who have A LOT of energy – which I DO NOT have!
Thank you for your post.
Rachel

Yay really excited for this! My biggest anxiety/anticipation right now is the transition to 2 children we’ll be making in a few months (our daughter will be 2 1/2 and when our next daughter is born). I would love to learn how to smooth that time for us all!

“what is your greatest struggle as a mama?” Disciplining/Raising each one of my children according to his or her own bent and not trying to expect the same from each of them.

I’m so excited to read what you have to share! I loved all of your posts on SAH Missionary that were along these lines. My current greatest struggle is finding physical strength to keep up and emotional strength to not check out when I get tired. My kids are little (ages 1, 4, and 6), but naps are decreasing and energy is increasing (their energy, not mine unfortunately!). We also live in cold and snowy Russia, so though we need to get outside to burn off energy, just getting everyone bundled up and getting out the door saps my strength on some days!

I am excited to join you for the new series! I would have to say one of my biggest struggles is being joyful and really taking every moment in. It seems like I get stuck on auto pilot a lot and I want my family to SEE, not just know that I enjoy them.

I’m in. Some days I have patience and grace, others I’m just short-tempered and mean-spirited. Not a very good combination and not what I want to be at all.

I’m really looking forward to this! Patience it definitely a big one for me, time management, giving grace (as it is given to me)!

So excited to see what the Lord has been teaching you and can’t wait to do some gleaning! I think my greatest focus right now is trying to be temperate…being in control of my emotions rather than allowing them to control me…maintaining gentleness when I am at my whit’s end. I am guessing I am not alone in these struggles and am so thankful for the fellowship here…a place we can all come together , be transparent, and sharpen one another. Thank you!!!!
Blessings,
Heather from PA

I can’t wait for this series. I am struggling so much! I’ve got three children under 5 and I homeschool… I’m so exhausted from keeping my barely above water – this is exactly what I need!! Thank you!

Looking forward to it! I have 5 children and need help with just being “in the moment”…there’s always so much to be done!!

I signed up. I’m am so looking forward to this series and the wisdome that is going to come from it! I sMy name is Sheena and I am a single mother of an 8 year old girl and an almost 2 year old ( on 2/8/12) boy. I am a full time working mother who works outside of the home my struggle is finding time to spend with my children more importantly my daughter. My son requires sooo much of my attention that I feel and know she gets jipped a lot of times. Sometimes I question my own parenting abilities and just feel at times maybe I’m the wrong person for this job. I know it’s a lie, but some days it feels more truthful than anything. I just want to be a great mom to them and raise them to love the Lord. I want them to look back over their childhood and say “Man, I had a great mom and wonderful childhood!” and say “I’m so glad you are my mom!”

I definitely am! We are expecting our first little one to make his debut in about 9-11 weels and I want so desperately to be everything I can be in being his Mama especially as a follower of Jesus. Super excited for this series and it comes and just the right time

I would love to join. My biggest struggle is staying calm when things get crazy and being patient while trying to train and teach daily.

Hi Joy, I am so thankful to have discovered your blog! It is a precious and sacred moment for me when…at about …2 pm ( Italy time) I get a little “brrriiinnng” from my phone and there it is, my message for the day from Grace Full Mama. So encouraging, so insightful, so real. Excited about the new series.

I would say that my biggest struggle as a mom is…grace… giving/showing it, learning to accept it from Him and fully grasping it.

This sounds great. I just hope I signed up correctly!

I’m interested to see what you have to share

Looking forward to this! I struggle the most with patience in the heat of the moment … and also with knowing how to reach the heart of my children. I can make them obey me, but how do I train them to want to do what is right? ~ Shannon

Hey Joy!! Looking forward to this!! My greatest struggle is giving in to the chaos of the moment- I want to purpose to MAKE more things happen instead of just WATCHING the chaos and trying to figure out how to survive it!

Looking forward to this!!! I know for me, it’s easy to loose sight of the “why”, when I’m saturated in the “how”! As soon as I think I have my little miss figured out, she throws me a curve ball, which then leads to lots of prayer, humorous stories/memories, and sometimes a few tears.

I struggle. Period. If it wasn’t for the Holy Spirit, I’m not sure I’d be alive at the end of each day! I’d love to find more joy in my life, in each relationship, especially with my husband.

Oh the snare of compare….that’s my biggest struggle. Comparing myself as a mama to other mamas, and then my kid to other kids. Looking forward to this series!

thanks for doing this! i loo forward to the encourgement! my biggest struggle right now is keeping calm and patient wen things get stressful!

I couldn’t subscribe. Is it a separate subscription from the one to the main website? I have trouble connecting on things like that because of where I am.

Can’t wait to join you on this!!!

Thank you for the encouragement Jessica. Thinking of you too!

Yes, I need this! I think my greatest struggle right now is balancing homeschool with my older two and keeping up with the 4 year old while nursing the 6 month old. I know it will pass all too quickly, but I could use some tips and encouragement!

Looking forward to this…just signed up to get it the posts delivered to my email!

Oh where do I struggle…let me count thy ways!!!

My biggest struggle is being fully present throughout the day…I’m usually thinking about things I want to work on, projects that need to be tackled, and everything I’m NOT getting done, instead of what I am…

So thankful you are starting this series and to read the comments and know that I am not the only mom out there that struggles with patience, dealing with anger on the bad days and really desires to be a gentle, loving mom! Can’t wait to see what God has in store!!

As I’ve scannerd through a few…I’m like many others. Patience!!!!! I run out of them by about 7am, but I think a lot of that has to do with expectations. I’m expecting way to much. I also take it extremely personally when my 5 year old daughter disobeys me. It’s never when my son does it, just my daughter. Like she’s looking at me and saying, I’m going to tick you off right…now! So excited for this series!

shucks, didn’t mean for that last one to post so fast!

also wanted to add that I struggle with organization…I’m forever not writing things in my calendar and missing appointments…I struggle with trying to create a “structure” in my day that makes sense…I feel a little lost and aimless in my days sometimes…don’t like that!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts…and hearing from others as well!

Yes, I’m in! I struggle with balance and juggling everything. I work as a freelancer from home so that I can be fully engaged as a mommy. But it’s tough! Juggling work, motherhood, household duties, being a wife, my own personal relationship with God, ministering to others…and on top of that trying to find time to eat healthy and exercise? Yeah, right! I love being a mom and love working as a freelance writer/editor. I have a great husband who is loving and supportive. But I struggle with “getting it all done”!

I’ll be here! I struggle much with anger and getting frustrated with such little things. Ugh!

Thank you Joy! I struggle with being present. I am here with my kids daily, we homeschool too. However I tend to get caught up in getting it all done and taking care of everyone else that I don’t engage with each child personally as much as i would like or think I should/want to. You are so encouraging. It seems there are not moms out there that have the same core values of God, children and motherhood. Thanks, Heidi

I can’t wait to begin this study! My biggest struggle is patience with my oldest(He is 2 years old) and he is very strong willed, so I do lose my patience with him sometimes

Mine is keeping Jesus always as the center of our home and life- ie. disciplining with scriptures, praying at all times for all things out loud and with them rather than just saying a quick prayer to myself, taking the time to teach them to handle things biblically-instead I’ll call out “stop” “knock it off”, and handeling myself in a manner that shows them a godly example of behavior.

Lisa in HI

Looks like a great way to connect with other mama’s! So many times I feel all alone in raising my family. It’s good to connect with fellow Christian mama’s for good fellowship. Thank you for this time of sharing! I am looking forward to getting into God’s word with you all. God Bless!!

I just found your blog throught Women Living Well., what an inspiring blog. I am looking forward to this series. I know I struggle with patience and keeping an organized clean home. As soon as I get it clean it seems like it gets destroyed in two seconds. We also homeschool, so there are days when the fear of doing what is right for children surfaces like an evil sea serpent.
I have a blog about our homeschooling joureny
http://www.mountainofgrace-monique.blogspot.com

hi, joy! i’m so looking forward to this series. honestly, my biggest struggle is resisting my performance tendencies. everything can become about a list. instead, i want to enjoy the moments i have with my children and show them that their value is not in what they can do but in who (Whose) they are.

Looking forward to this! I have an almost 14 month old and oh my goodness is he strong willed! He listens well to his daddy, but not so much to his mama. I want to have patience and know how to handle him when he’s driving me a bit crazy!

this sounds like it will be super helpful and encouraging! Our family moved overseas a few years ago and we have 4 small children. I found your old blog randomly and was so encouraged by it. Look forward to hearing more!

I am looking forward to this also! I struggle with training up my children by the Word and this sounds like a great series to help me with that. Thank you!!

[...] see you Monday for the beginning of the Cultivating a Heart for Motherhood Series! I can’t [...]

Hi Joy. I honestly stumbled upon your blog this past week. I really don’t even remember how I did, but I did. And I love it when I know it was no accident. I am a mom of a soon to be 2 year old girl and a soon to be 5 year old boy. I am a pastor’s wife in a new setting and have been feeling a very strong yearning to dig in deeper with my relationship with Jesus, in word, prayer and action. I am keeper of the home and beginning the journey of homeschooling. So many hats to juggle and praying for joy in the journey as well as a renewing of my spirit, to live out the fruits that God calls us to embrace. Happening upon your blog just before you begin this series is a gift. Thank you for allowing God to use you to speak encouragement, invitation and challenge into the hearts of other moms. I look forward to following you and listening to all God is saying to my heart. Blessings to you as you prepare to give.

My biggest challenges are grace and discipline along with just maintaining patience. What does Grace based parenting look like?

I really look forward to this series you are doing. My youngest is 11 and attends public school and I work outside the home so I don’t know how much your content will apply but I am always looking to learn more about motherhood. My daughter has to deal with all the “girl” stuff and the diva’s and the wanna be diva’s and sometimes it is hard for her to understand why she can’t have a certain thing or do certain things just because “all the other girls are”. Not to mention the rude remarks and the too involved moms. Sorry, I got carried away there. As you can tell I need a lot of wisdom to help and guide her through these situations and not let my anger and frustration get in the way of my relationships with the girls and their moms. Bless you for doing this and I pray all us moms can take away a little more understanding and knowledge for the lives of our children.

I will be joining. My greatest struggle as a mom, right now, is….not having “Christian” parented my older 2 children the way I should have. I’ve been a Christian for nearly 28 years and my older children are saved, but I didn’t really walk the walk God would have wanted me too until about a year or so ago. It seems to be hard to change my children’s hearts, especially my “almost” 15 year old, to desire to “walk” a Godly life.

Wow, this is exactly what I need. I think my hardest struggle is to be patient when I’m frustrated. I have 2 little ones and I can’t seem to keep calm when things go chaotic!

My biggest struggle is patience (of course) and balance between training them and delighting in them, teaching them responsibility and laughing ’til it hurts… Excited to join you for this series. Thank you.

I read a lot of other mommas posts and I struggle with many of the same issues. Gentle, patient actions and words instead of harsh and tired actions. Also the juggling act of being a wife, mommy, cook, homeschool teacher to my children and keeping a clean house! Among many more expectations. I have three boys 6 and under. I would love to figure out how to balance the work load and still enjoy all of what God has given me!

I’m I’m!! My biggest struggle is patience.

I’m I’m!! My biggest struggle is patience.

Looking forward to spending time with you & in the Word. I struggle with defiance from my almost 7-year-old daughter. She is generally loving, funny, & thoughtful, but she is also stubborn, & self-interested. I would love help in training her to be more humble, obedient, & respectful to her dad & me, as well as honor us both.
Jan from NC

Yes, I’m a grandma, but would still enjoy the study!

I have 5 little ones and a husband who travels a lot. I struggle with being emotionally in control and patient when I am beyond tired and worn out. Giving grace when I feel like there is no more of me left to give… I can’t wait to read this series!

I will be joining! My biggest challenge (right now) are the lines of being a kid but having responsibility….work before play type stuff. I tend to notice that i get impatient when they arent being obedient, but the things that they arent obedient in are “I just want to have fun stuff” — running in the house, getting too rough inside, playing in the bathroom instead of brushing teeth, etc. Four boys 8,6,3, and 6months!
I am SO happy you are doing this! I love your writings. You have such a ministry here in the US while being a missionary in Indonesia as well. God is using you to bless many people <3

This is definitely not spiritual, but I struggle with spending way more time in the kitchen than I’d like to, and consequently forcing my little one to entertain herself in the kitchen while I work (prepping, cooking, cleaning up). How do I lessen the load or do the work when the babe is asleep but still have warm food when it’s time to eat?! Thanks! Looking forward to the series!

i would have to say patience…i have a really short temper with my kids, and i hate it.
thanks for doing this!!

I would like to join . . . can I just do it with email? I don’t think I have any of those “reader” programs on my computer that were listed…

I have been a quiet reader/visitor of your blog. I will for sure be following your new series…my greatest struggle is time and anger management – well there is not enough hrs in the day! I stay home with my 3 and 7 yr olds, homeschool them, and also work a FT customer service job from home at night! I believe because there is so much to do, my temper gets out of control…but having found so many uplifting and caring blogs like yours and Sally Clarkson’s have given me hope and practical tips to help (with the anger)!! Thank you for offerring this platform; I’m looking forward to it!

I’ll be joining as well. My biggest struggle is continuously and consistently pointing them to Christ when attempting to correct inappropriate behavior.

Looking forward to this new series. I’m not young but I am a mother of young children and need the encouragement.

My greatest struggle as a mama is being present. I’m always thinking about what needs to be done by such and such time, etc, that i end up missing out on playing with my girls and really capturing the moments and building memories.

I’m joining! As a new mama to a 2 month old colicky son my struggles are… well everything.

I am so excited…hardest thing for me is finding time daily to spend with them. So sad I know but I work full time.

I am so excited…hardest thing for me is finding time daily to spend with them. So sad I know but I work full time and balancing ministry, work, family, husband, house, kids…very hard!

I look forward to reading this series! My biggest struggle is in spending the time with my kids that I want to, and in teaching grace.

I have the hardest time having patience with my 3 year old. I am constantly reminding myself that he’s NOT a mini-adult. He’s just figuring all this out and I have to be the one to teach him. This is TRULY where I struggle most.

[...] listen, I read all the comments on this post.  And I am right there with you.  We are all weary.  We have all messed up.  We will all mess [...]

It helps my heart so much just to see how many other mamas struggle with patience and gentleness. Oh, how Satan tries to decieve me and tell me that I am all alone in this, and that I am a terrible mother. I find it especially hard to walk in God’s grace, I have such high stndards for myself as a mother. I am begging God for his patience, gentleness and self control (and the other fruits too!) as I mother my children. I feel I am fighting myself every day, and I do that which I do not want to do (like Paul). I fear that my impatience, harsh words, and sometimes loss of control will have a negative impact on my children — both spiritually and on their self esteem. Looking forward to this series, very much.

Cannot wait. I struggle with staying motivated and serving as joyfully as I should!