When it comes to making life easier I take every chance I get to cut corners, go down to one bathroom to eliminate extra cleaning, rinse out my blender instead of fully cleaning it before I make my next protein shake, put my daughter to bed in her clothes and not change her the next day. God knows my weakness and lazy tendencies (or survival technique to stay sane as a Mom with two young kids) and so I believe He places people in my life that push me to get up and do the hard stuff. Who knows how long it would have taken to start potty training my son if his preschool teacher had not told me that he could not come to class in diapers anymore. She forced my hand and made me buckle down and not take the easy route of diaper changing, forever. Currently I am neglecting my duty to teach my son to read, or at least start the 100 Easy Lessons book with him, somehow the day slips by and the book does not get opened (though we do read alot of books together so hopefully that is doing something).
Today I was reminded again of why God saw the need for two parents to raise children and my quick fix parenting style. My husband was home when my son needed to use the restroom. The boy did his duty and then required assistance to finish up. In order to go on with my day I usually just take care of this and move on. I have had the advice that my son won't require this assistance forever and will eventually grow out of it, so I had run with that and done the easy thing, for me. My husband has a bit more forethought and generally does not give in to my son quite as readily as I do. On this day he pushed it with my son and insisted that he take care of himself. The part that was the hardest for me was the crying "please Mom, please Mom, please Mom". It took all of my will power and the need of my plants for water to stay out of that bathroom. The Dad was right though and the boy calmed down, took care of himself and came out apologizing for his fit.
God knew that it would take two parents to give children what they need. Grace and a hard line, two parents that love them and love each other, teaching them about God and the joys of life.
Proverbs 13:24
"Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him."
