Modern Day Sacrifices: Sharing "Your Time" and Giving Up Your Way as the ONLY Way

Dear Readers,
On 1/02/20, I posted about little changes I wanted to pursue in the new year- organizing, cleaner eating habits, and leaving work earlier.  Well, in pursuit of those things, I realized I have said "YES" to a few other things I wasn't expecting to learn and love.

First, I said YES to self-control.

Not allowing myself the option to watch TV during the work week and just on the weekends (even that- a limited amount) has been life changing.  My mind feels more clearer not having someone else's story plot stewing in my head when I have my own life right in front of me.   I feel like I appreciate the present moments more and I feel more presently-engaged with people relationally- including my kids and husband.
Not eating past 8pm has allowed me to see what I crave for when it's late- SWEETS- things I don't want to eat in front of my kids.  That's super convicting because if I have to sneak it all of the time-  should I really be eating it?  

Then, I said YES to training my kids to help us.

I think because I wasn't raising a newborn up this holiday season I forgot how involved Christmas is by itself-  from presents, tree decorations, celebrations, family gatherings, and reorganizing the house for the new presents.   I found myself always doing overtime work here and there my whole break because I have four kids.   Alot of the things I take care of is family maintenance stuff- clean up, meals, getting ready, and putting things away.  It just hit me like a lightning bolt.

WHY. AM. I (OR WE- with Ben) DOING THIS ALL BY OURSELVES.

*They. need. to. help.

Which meant we had to teach them.

So, we started with the after dinner routine.

Ben and I would usually wait to take care of lunches, chores, or any housework after they go to bed or take a nap (on the weekends).  It was things we've always done on our owns prior to kids so we just assumed we had to do it all and more with them.

However, I realized during this holiday season that they don't fully appreciate what they have nor know how much work is involved to care for our family and home.  From my six year old to my two year old, I realized they were all growing an entitled attitude about what they want, when they want it, and how they want it done.  It was only a matter of time Baby Jude joined the gang because they feed off each other.

So, we spilt the work for them.

 Ben leads Reggie and Wyatt (to the best of his ability- he has his own sweeper) in sweeping up the floor and cleaning the table.  Reggie and Ben do dishes together too.  Reagan helps me pack all the boys lunches and her after school snack.  I write the labels on the masking tape, cut the fruit, and put things in containers.  She gets the snacks out of the pantry or fridge, counts the snacks, and labels the food.  Baby Jude is usually walking around us so we tag team on caring for him as he likes to watch or "help" while we work.

The trickiest day is Weds.- because Ben does it solo with all the kids.

He managed it- with some push back here and there- SUCCESSFULLY- Go Honey!

Just for the record.- Ben and I were not really looking forward to "teaching" our 6, 4, and 2 year old these habits or letting them in on "our routines"- but, if we want to grow their hearts and minds to think differently- it was our duty to let them experience the "real" normal.

To our surprise, the kids LOVE it and I think they just love us "needing and wanting" their help.  By yesterday,  we realized that the kids are actually "helping" create that margin we've been  looking for the last six months.  We really gain about an hour back to ourselves each night. Bonus- since we are all working together at the same time on different tasks, we have less opportunity to bicker and scream before bed.

The Bible always says the Lord's ways are not your ways and this scenario proves it!  As a Christian parent, the Bible always calls us to train up our kids in the way he/she should go.  It was cool for Ben and I to take a blind chance at this, but it was even cooler to see it benefit our whole entire family.

I'm convinced that  sharing your time (whatever that may look like) and giving up some of your old "ways" or habits- is the modern day sacrifice.  

It's my duty as a woman to keep myself mentally, physically, and spiritually HEALTHY even if I have to set limits on things.

Lastly, I don't want just anyone training my kids up in their mind and heart.  So, even my chores aren't my own if I want them to feel loved and included.  Then, they can turn some of those selfish thoughts in a more self-less direction.

 Thanks for reading!

Love, Always,

Crystal