When your first child was born, you studied the rise and fall of their chest while they were sleeping, certain that at any moment this beautiful and perfectly healthy child would suddenly stop breathing. Now that my kids are older, and especially as I’ve watched them head off to college, I often look back at those early years and wish that I would’ve stopped worrying about the silly and unpredictable things. I wish I had been happier about the important and the even-less-than-important things. I can’t go back, but I can share my wisdom with you.
So here are my top five:
1. Don’t worry about a super clean house…unless your mother-in-law is coming. Be Happy that your kids use their creativity and imaginations while they play games and trash the house. Believe me; soon you’ll miss hearing the trucks slide across the kitchen floor.
2. Don’t worry about how they compare to other children. Be happy with who God created them to be and teach them to be confident in the same.
3. Don’t worry about the “ifs” and the uncertainties of parenting. Be happy and find the value in what you know and can control.
4. Don’t worry about how much money you do or don’t have.
Be happy that you have been blessed with a child. People spend a small fortune on having that alone. All your children desire is your love anyway—even if they beg you for a new DS game.
5. Don’t worry about the rest of their lives. Be happy with the moments (even the harried ones) you get to share today.
As you go through your day whistling the “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” tune, think about your kids and what little bundles of happiness they are—even when they’re driving you nuts with worry!
