Today at the grocery store, both my older children kept touching food (e.g., dropping expensive peaches and pinching holes in ground beef packages), whining about something or another, and asking for food items. My youngest kept standing in the seat and crying when she was buckled in. At the checkout, I was embarrassed because I couldn’t give my attention to paying for my food because I was having to give attention to all three children at once. David cried on the way home because Bethel wouldn’t give him a book. Bethel cried on the way home because she didn’t have her blanket. Laurel cried because she wanted to sleep.
Earlier, a mom I’m just getting to know was feeling embarrassed because her child was being rude and selfish. I assured her, my children are sinners, too. Yes, they fight. They don’t always obey, and they do have bad attitudes at times. I don’t have all the answers, and sometimes I really have no idea how to respond to them, but I’m seeking the Lord to find wisdom as I respond to their childishness and sinfulness.