Somewhere along the line I have fallen into this trap of managing my children more than I mother them.

I am, by nature, an organized person (though not perfect) and tend to do well at managing the details. Those skills are what landed me jobs as a virtual assistant and help others with their blogs as a consultant. Such tasks don't require special attention other than keeping them organized and knowing how to handle them.

But this is not how it should be with my children. My children are little souls that need to be nurtured in order to grow. Putting them on a schedule and moving them on from one thing to the next is not how I want my mothering to take shape. A schedule should be used as a guide, not source of life--because by itself, it's quite dead. Quite un-lively.

The difference between managing and nurturing is speaking in monotone verses speaking words of joy and life. It's getting frustrated when things get out of place verses being patient as my children grow. It's fitting things into a box verses recognizing God made my children too unique to fit in a box.

Management is for running a business, not raising children.

Management is for keeping our homes, but it doesn't have the same results in keeping our children's hearts.

We don't manage hearts; we mother hearts.

Mothering is not just who we are; it's what we do.

Children will flourish with the warmth of their mothers voice as she personally addresses their needs and their questions. When she stops to take the time to look her child in the eye and give him her full attention.

Managing resembles more of a dominating attitude. This is not the same as a leader. A leader is someone people choose {and want} to follow.

Managing is meant for inanimate things. Not for children. Children are to be cherished, treasured, taught, lead, and loved on. Managing them is not enough to nurture the deepest needs of their hearts.

As a Father, God reaches to our very core in order to disciple and love us. He is not a manager of people; He is a gracious lover of His people. We are His children. He rejoices over us with singing!

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Let us delight in our children, too, and pour life into their days--not merely manage them.

Joy in Christ,

Christin, Joyful Mothering