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  1. Girl…
    You almost made me cry, but you REEEALLY have me thinking now… and the last sentence “YOU are the best mother for your children…”
    Oh that’s what I needed, I struggle often with being a mother, it’s not a walk in the park “like so and so’s life seems to be” you are SO right! Thank you ma’am for this wonderful insight and very strong yet soft, kind and gentle words. Just what this momma needed! 🙂

  2. Susan Core says:

    Angela – reading back through some of your posts – extra computer time has not been as easy to come by lately. I wanted to thank you for sharing your heart on your struggles with contentment. It is funny how God can use our personal situations to draw out some of these areas. I always felt pretty confident that I did not fall into the comparison trap until the first couple of years of homeschooling. It was not that I was comparing my children to others, but I found myself actually comparing myself as a teacher to those around me that were also homeschooling. I found myself adding a lot to our daily school schedule that really were not necessary. I do plan out my year ahead of time, but found myself wanting to just add one more thing…to my detriment, as I would get anxious when we started not completing what we initially set out to do. I love seeing what others are doing in their school time and in their homes, but now understand enough to know I have to guard myself from comparing and desiring to “just add one more thing.” I have a file I have created now that I just place items into that look intriguing so when I go to plan out my next year I can just sift through and see if it still looks as good as it did when I originally ran across it. Thanks again for sharing your heart!

  3. Deb @ Living Montessori Now says:

    Beautifully written and such an important reminder, Angela! It’s so true in almost any area of life that comparison will steal our joy.

    1. Teaching Mama says:

      Thank you, Deb! I have to constantly remind myself of this. Wish I could meet you at the 2:1 conference!

  4. Excellent post Angela! I have found myself comparing and it is so unproductive. I too had a colicky baby who still doesn’t sleep through the night. I try and focus on just how much I prayed for these babies. The many years I wondered if I would ever even get to be a mom and it puts things right back into perspective.

    1. Teaching Mama says:

      Thanks for sharing, Anna. With technology (like Pinterest), it’s easy for us to feel like we’re failing as a mom. You’re right- it’s so unproductive. Yes, you know how hard it is to have a colicky baby! And I’ve been there with babies not sleeping at night. It took Troy 18 months and Wes 16 months to finally sleep through the night consistently! I will be praying for you! I love your perspective on being a mom. So glad God blessed you with two amazing miracles!

  5. Comparison is something I have struggled with all my life, especially as a mom. I used to imagine that behind closed doors, other moms had it all together, that everything was clean and organized and that their parenting was surely better than mine. It’s only been in the past few years that I have found my worth in God and have had an easier time not comparing myself to others.

    1. Teaching Mama says:

      Thanks, Sharla for sharing! So glad God has worked in your life the past few years with this! Oh and by the way, how do you like List Planit?! So fun that we both won!

  6. Thank you for sharing. This really spoke to my heart.

    1. Teaching Mama says:

      I am so glad! I felt God leading me to share what’s been on my heart. It’s a blessing to hear your comment!

  7. Yes, the whole comparison thing is such a trap, the only person who can stop it is yourself! As your kids get older it just continues with sports, etc. Ugh. You are so far ahead of the curve by realizing this now. This is a wonderful post, keep up the good work of being a great momma to those boys 🙂

    1. Teaching Mama says:

      Thank, Jen! You are so sweet. I pray daily for strength and grace to be their mom. I’m sure you know how that is. I can only imagine the comparison thing getting crazy with sports and other activities. I’ll definitely have to remind myself of this when they are in that stage of life. Thanks for your comment!!

  8. This is perfect Angela.. Thank you so much for sharing your heart, especially a topic that many of us relate to and struggle with. And how perfect is Gods word, those are such comforting verses. I love you friend!

    1. Teaching Mama says:

      Thank you, friend! I agree…I think many of us struggle with this. I know I have! Yes, whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed I find great comfort in His word. Love you, Kristen!

  9. hi there..like your post esp love your boys..they are GOD given. my hubby and I are praying for babies for a very long time now..that a baby will look down from Heaven and say..i choose that one for a mama and papa!. well, still hoping & praying..you are blessed! thanks for the share.

    1. Teaching Mama says:

      Thank you for your comment and sharing your heart! I’m sure that must be very hard to stay content while waiting. God bless you! I will be praying for you and your husband.

  10. I have a 7 year old and an almost 3 year old. The oldest a boy and the youngest a girl. I do not compare with my daughter the way I did when my son was her age. I know it’s a combination of reasons as to why I don’t compare my daughter to others but mostly it’s because I have come in contact with many more Moms/ parents over the last 7 + years of Mommy-hood and after talking with many and being friends with many I’ve learned that all of us parents have our woes, so to speak, when it cones to our children. Not one of us as parents is perfect nor are the children. Another thing that has really come to light with me is the fact that no one knows what goes on behind closed doors. What someone shows to others on the outside might not always be the reality. My son was a handful during his 2′ 3’s and 4’s and now I can proudly say he has turned out to be a pretty well mannered, caring, fun loving 7 year old. One last thing – I think when our children are younger (before kindergarten age) we tend to do more of that comparing like with how well a child knows their abc’s or 123’s because that is the time where it all starts to come together. I have read that at about the 3rd or 4th grade any child that may have been ahead (academically speaking) will all be at the same or very similar level by grades 3 or 4. This goes without saying but love your children for who they are and thank God for blessing you with them because God knows that we are the best parents for our children no matter the challenge. Thank you for your post today!! Have me something to ponder that I haven’t really done in quite some time!

    1. Teaching Mama says:

      Very good advice, Susen. You are so right- no one is perfect and no one knows what goes on behind close doors. That is great about your son! I’m sure you are proud of him. Yes, loving your child is the best thing you can ever do for them. Thank you for your encouragement!

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