Encouragement for the Mom of Littles

In our house, among the children, we have "bigs" and we have "littles".  Our "bigs" are the 8 and over set (currently only two fit into that category, Isaac, who is 10.5, and Ezra, who is 9) and the "littles" are, well, everyone else (that would be Joel (6.5), Nathan (4.5), Judah (2), and Rachel (6 months).  While my big kids are actually still on the younger side (no drivers yet!), I have come to notice there is a definite difference in my life from when I had ALL littles to now having some big ones.

The "all littles" years are hard.  Plain and simple!  I remember being the only source of entertainment, the only one who could buckle carseats, hold hands in the parking lot (difficult when you've got more littles than hands!), push a grocery cart, make breakfast for lots of hungry mouths, change diapers, and so on.  I remember trying to nurse a baby to sleep while keeping a toddler occupied, quiet and safe.  I remember wondering how to get all the groceries into the house by myself with a baby that needs to nurse and a toddler that needs to go potty.  It can be, and often is, exhausting.

The being said, I wanted to encourage any moms who are in the middle of the "all littles" phase - it gets easier!  I promise!

The littles grow, and with good training and discipline, they become helpers!  My oldest two can make snacks and meals, entertain the littles while I'm nursing the baby, hold the baby while I help another in the potty, load up the car and buckle car seats, unload groceries and put them away, and so on.  I was recently left alone with just my four little guys for a few days, and, boy! did it bring back memories - and a greater appreciation for my big guys.

However, the are some words of caution I want to toss out, too.  These are very important!

First, keep in mind that while you have just littles, you will need to be looking toward the future by teaching your littles to obey and to be helpers.  They won't just magically become that way at the drop of a hat.  Let the little ones come alongside you in everything you do.  Yes, that will mean more work in the beginning.  But the harvest will be worth it!  Love them, encourage them, and train them to obey!  They will be eager to start taking on more and more "big" responsibilities.

Second, don't keep your focus so much on the future that you sacrifice the now.

It can get easy to start dreaming of an "easier" time (I say easier in quotes because ALL phases of parenting has their challenges - they're just different challenges!).  Planning and preparing for the future is one thing, but constantly putting your mind on "when they're ____, I'll be free!" will only breed discontent.  Mamas, you will miss so, so much if this is your mindset!

Littles are only little for such a very short time.  It might seem like eternity right now, but, really, the time flies.  Enjoy your littles!  Play with them, read with them, laugh with them. Pour the love of Jesus into them!  Yes, they are hard work.  But while the days can seem long, the years will fly by.  The little years are such wonderful years of wonder and learning, and a prime time to be able to really pour your love into them, forging bonds that will help relationships to stay strong as they get older.  That foundation of relationship is essential!

Cherish your children, mamas, at every age.  They are precious gifts from the Lord!

My bigs when they were little!