Four Easy Ways to Treasure Motherhood

I know it’s long past Advent, but there is this verse, subtly slipped into the end of the Christmas story which is stuck on repeat in my mind. You may have caught it when you did your Advent readings, or, like me the first time, it slipped past without notice. But it’s a good one, a gem, and it’s specifically written for and about a mother. 

It’s Luke 2:51: But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.

(This is Jesus’ mother, Mary, written about her experience of raising Jesus.)

As we begin a new year, let’s take this verse and make it a goal for this year. Let’s TREASURE all these things: the memories, the moments, the mothering.

To TREASURE means to cherish, value, and preserve.

I am reminding us, mamas, to keep some things to TREASURE. Keep some memories precious, and tuck them away. Remember that even the most annoying moments won’t last forever, and there is some beauty to be found in even the hardest days. Make some sweet memories and stash them as a treasure to be found again one day. Or keep them close, like a gift, as close as a screensaver or a frame next to your bed.  Someday you will burst with joy knowing you had the wisdom to treasure and keep some precious tidbits to commemorate these days, the mothering.

I have four easy tips for us mamas, no matter what season we’re in, to intentionally TREASURE this gift of motherhood. Whether you have a baby, or a handful of kiddos all ages (like me), or have kids who are grown and only come to visit (me, too!), it applies to all of us.

1. CAPTURE SOME MEMORIES.

Record them and put them somewhere safe. Store them or write them or photograph the moment in some way. My mom would always say she hoped I wrote down the funny things my kids said. I would look at her blankly. Write something down? Where would I store that? Who has time? I barely have a grocery list! God bless my mom, who helped by writing things down that MY kids said, so she could recount the memories to me. She told me she would just write it in her daily planner…nothing big, maybe just a few lines. Today, social media can also be a great keeper of memories too. I have a friend who posts lots of pictures on FB for the pure pleasure of seeing them pop up again each year in her memories! I also love that our phones date our photos, and we can go back and recount the memories in past years. I like looking back on my Instagram account and seeing pictures since 2012. My kids were so little then! It is so fun to share those memories, in picture form, with my kids.                                                                             

2. BE PRESENT

(all of you…eyes, ears, heart). Engage. Have conversations. Make eye contact.  We all have other responsibilities and jobs that require attention. But we can dedicate some time or space each day where we put all distractions away, and simply BE with our kids? Enjoy your little ones, and what they want to tell you. It may mean saying, “Show me that one trick you learned!”… and then you watch it 17 times in a row!  Or ask your child to teach you the song from school. Make bedtime a little longer by starting a little earlier so you can capture even more of these sweet moments. Suggest your child tell you a story each night, or take turns! (Kids are way more inventive and creative than adults, by the way! You will laugh and be delighted to hear the worlds they create for you!)  Plan a game night and have your phone or computer nowhere near. Take an evening walk together as a family, weather-permitting, and play “I SPY.” Giving your undivided attention to your child is priceless; it tells your child how much you value who they are and what they have to say.                                         

3. CREATE FAMILY TRADITIONS. 

These are the treasures that make your family unique. These become the things you KEEP DOING each year or week or season, whatever the case may be. Create traditions that are a joy to you, and not a burden! (You’re the mom; you get to create traditions that line up with what is special and valuable!) Kids love and thrive on traditions. Some little traditions we have created just in the past few years: birthday cake pancakes on your birthday. Christmas church service followed by dinner together and then go to see the Nativity downtown. Friday nights= the same Mexican restaurant (until the restaurant up and changed its menu).  They don’t have to be anything fancy, they just have to matter to your family. Your kids will think it’s special if you make it special. It’s much more fun going through your week when you get your kids excited for: “Friday, it’s library day and movie night! Help me get ready with snacks and blankets! When dad comes home we get to snuggle and watch our movies!”

4. STOP WORRYING!

(I am so guilty of this.)  Worry takes away our ability to be present. A worried mind is a distracted mind. If I’m always thinking to ‘what could happen….’ or “what if…” then my mind is divided between what is happening right now and what could happen in the future. A worried mind means I’m never fully here; I’m here but I’m also ten steps ahead. Let’s let God take care of the ten steps ahead, and park ourselves in the NOW.  God tells us not to worry for a reason. Worry accomplishes nothing except spinning your mind around and around a problem. The Bible tells us to instead PRAY. Yes, we should pray for our kids, ask God for guidance every day….and then enjoy being a mother! Let’s delight in and cherish and TREASURE the moments we get with our children, instead of fretting them away.

All the love to you, always, sweet mamas! XOXO