tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post5653880479534517897..comments2024-02-17T01:48:51.074-05:00Comments on Cedars and Tiny Flowers: Ev-everyday I'm Strugglin'Katrina Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11003845472776600259noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-77384930878057027672014-05-21T14:48:14.140-04:002014-05-21T14:48:14.140-04:00just had to comment and say i hear ya! i feel ya! ...just had to comment and say i hear ya! i feel ya! i'm there too! i found your blog through regina, or maybe ana? haha either way just wanted to share love and prayers, from one grateful yet overwhelmed and blessed mother to another. shylahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16655292861976206719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-25825134420274807532014-05-21T14:40:53.188-04:002014-05-21T14:40:53.188-04:00Hang in there. :) I only have two and when they we...Hang in there. :) I only have two and when they were your sweet sons' ages, I remember curling up in a ball on our couch after they were finally (FINALLY) asleep one night and telling my husband that I was losing my mind. I was impatient, yelling, overwhelmed, and miserable a good portion of the time. Hormones are still wacky at this stage for the mama and kids can sense it...I swear they can! And then they attack! Like an adorable, sticky flock of velociraptors all wanting to nurse or hug or be read to. :) Don't be afraid to rest, rest, rest. The only way I overcame that stage of mothering was through the gentle and frequent guidance and prayer from my beloved spiritual director and my husband. It took months, but I've come up from the sea of tantrums. My spiritual director encouraged me to say a Hail Mary whenever I gave into my impulse to be angry and snap at the little tantrum-thrower, so that whatever damage I've done to their little souls would be healed. Plus, I've never known Our Blessed Mother to leave a struggling mother unattended as she whispered a pleading Ave for help from above.<br /><br />And for what it's worth, I don't have that knack either. At all! I love your blog and your stories and your beautiful family. Each person has a niche. The JP Behnkeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01060112775583664606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-28614451019007820012014-05-20T19:20:14.882-04:002014-05-20T19:20:14.882-04:00We have ALL been there! And you will get more exp...We have ALL been there! And you will get more experienced and wiser and more relaxed as you go on. I read a book when my oldest was two and I re-read it with every single two-year old that came into my house. It's a John Rosemond book and it's called Making the Terrible Twos Terrific. It was literally a sanity saver and I recommend it to everyone. I had one who was the KING of all tantrums. He was literally going to be the death of me. He's still a bit on the crazy side, but at 15 he's the most kind hearted, loving child. He has tons of friends and is a natural leader. He has so many wonderful gifts and I thank God every day that I didn't kill him.....! You're doing great - loving them is the best and most important thing you can do.Krishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02999838147173390906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-57091158935265889002014-05-20T09:08:51.371-04:002014-05-20T09:08:51.371-04:00I finally got a chance to come back and read this ...I finally got a chance to come back and read this and... solidarity friend. I'm not even experiencing the terrible twos yet. Michael has him moments but I often think of how good he really is. Then I think of how bad I struggle some days with such a good kid and I feel inadequacy all around. It's true though... we're young mamas. It will pass. Someday. :)Caitlynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13749026285320725448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-20989237472966125182014-05-19T16:04:43.565-04:002014-05-19T16:04:43.565-04:00Oh Katrina, amen. Reading blogs can be a really gr...Oh Katrina, amen. Reading blogs can be a really great thing (for these types of posts exactly! Solidarity!) and a really horrible thing because I look at other moms and go, "she's got endless patience. She never loses it with her kids. Her kids' childhoods are unicorns and Neverlands abounding." Then I read this type of thing and think, oh thank God. It's not just me. So....thank you.Jessie Popehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06488095131762581182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-65279500649947018382014-05-19T10:50:58.766-04:002014-05-19T10:50:58.766-04:00All I can say is: yes. It is VERY hard with little...All I can say is: yes. It is VERY hard with little one(s), no matter how close in age or whatever. And I'm convinced from years of nannying and nephews that 2-3 is the WORST age, and 4 gets considerably better. I like reading the Montessori insights about the why behind all the crap that they put out. ha! And that Simcha article was so so so good for me to read! I think I read it back when it came out, when I wasn't even engaged. Now I'm like, "YES! Thank you!". Thanks for this :)Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570694976603693258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-15452204120876261992014-05-19T10:24:58.230-04:002014-05-19T10:24:58.230-04:00Oh my goodness, Katrina...thank you for this! This...Oh my goodness, Katrina...thank you for this! This is exactly what I was needing to read this morning!Michele Chronisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05328455640818231923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-71421151648501442952014-05-19T09:44:20.583-04:002014-05-19T09:44:20.583-04:00Thank you for putting the blog post out there. I&...Thank you for putting the blog post out there. I'm nowhere near toddler tantrums yet, but I do find myself throwing fits about my mothering skills. I am guilty of the comparison game. Thanks for reminding me that I'm not alone. Hang in there, mama! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306422982005181238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-37410682494755296592014-05-19T08:44:35.244-04:002014-05-19T08:44:35.244-04:00THANK YOU, THANK YOU for writing this!! You are de...THANK YOU, THANK YOU for writing this!! You are definitely not alone in this. I have a 4 year old that throws epic tantrums daily and an almost 2 year old that a temper has just popped up in. Days can be rough, but its the horrible awful no good days that are getting us to heaven. Offer it up! ;) Just know that so many other moms are struggling with the same things…temper tantrums from their babies and huge tantrums thrown by themselves…so glad to know that I'm not the only one. stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11214847818131087066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-56323678214182285752014-05-19T08:33:19.411-04:002014-05-19T08:33:19.411-04:00I think every mom out there can relate to this pos...I think every mom out there can relate to this post. The first three years with any baby are the absolute hardest. Hang in there!<br /><br />And try not to compare yourself with the image other people present on their blogs/instagram accounts/facebook pages. Most people are putting on a show anyway. Comparison is the thief of joy. - Teddy RooseveltBeth Cotellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14536268080265726705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-25929774406474680482014-05-19T08:04:12.521-04:002014-05-19T08:04:12.521-04:00You are right, Tess! Cuddle that sweet Frankie! You are right, Tess! Cuddle that sweet Frankie! Katrina Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11003845472776600259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-8139807663736635312014-05-19T08:03:45.382-04:002014-05-19T08:03:45.382-04:00Thanks, Morgan! You are wonder mom.
And luckily ...Thanks, Morgan! You are wonder mom. <br /><br />And luckily I can overlook Cheerios like a champ ;) It's a gift. Katrina Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11003845472776600259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-12932729822263424072014-05-18T20:22:06.223-04:002014-05-18T20:22:06.223-04:00Oh Katrina, did you write this after secretly obse...Oh Katrina, did you write this after secretly observing me?! So many points are hitting home, Easton would easily try his darnedest to take Ryan's Gold in Toddler Tantrums (which would totally result in tantrums from all participants). I have at least 20 drafts sitting over in the ol blog about how often I'm drowning and that it will never, ever ever get any better (sing that like Tay swift). Our boys are 2 years and 2 weeks apart and I am constantly praying for mothers with less spacing and more kids and actual problems because I *should* be able to handle this! Thank you for reminding me that being the same age mother as our child, will lead us to a tantrum or three :) thank you, thank you this was just what I needed to hear on a day like this. <br /><br /> I know we don't know each other, but you write so openly and honestly that I feel like I do, you are a great mom. These trials are what we look back on when the boys graduate or open their own business or whatnot and say "that's why he made it, he's always been stubborn and hardheaded but the heck if it didn't drive him to success." You will make it past these days and your boys will grow out of it, just like we all have grown with each baby blessing we recieve. Prayers for you and yours. xoLilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18190917679880418260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-82257987307248697702014-05-18T18:27:09.772-04:002014-05-18T18:27:09.772-04:00Hey just remember that moms with lots of kids were...Hey just remember that moms with lots of kids were moms with only one or two at one point, and if we look like we're doing it better it's probably just because we have learned that every stage is temporary and we don't sweat the small stuff anymore. You're an amazing mom who inspires me!!Colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11451797365712728579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-65877638482363675232014-05-18T16:29:30.316-04:002014-05-18T16:29:30.316-04:00Love this post and thanks for saying it. I'm s...Love this post and thanks for saying it. I'm struggling to get used to having a newborn and like you described I keep comparing myself to moms with more kids and feeling inadequate. We all have those struggles at times! But we also have what it takes to get through them and that's what matters. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13545105658956559291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-56093806982397238932014-05-18T15:35:08.037-04:002014-05-18T15:35:08.037-04:00You are awesome- I loved this post and can relate ...You are awesome- I loved this post and can relate to every single aspect in its entirety. I think maybe Bernadette and Ryan are soul mates, or maybe that would be too many tantrums (?). Let's get together soon and we can commiserate! Anahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07767555436747678165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-52768146257904232492014-05-18T14:42:02.816-04:002014-05-18T14:42:02.816-04:00It does get easier! Thomas is only 4 but he is so ...It does get easier! Thomas is only 4 but he is so much easier than a 2 or 3 year old. Maybe I am crazy but the tantrums seem to be less (or maybe I am just less bothered by them) the more kids we have. Number 4 will be here soon and even with Andrew's very high medical needs, I am very ready for a break in the boredom. Sounds crazy but really, life was much more chaotic when I had a two year old and a baby (ok, the two year old, 1 year old, and new sick baby was the worst...) than now. Hang in there and who cares about Cheerios all over the floor :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-73133832614598080862014-05-18T13:12:29.008-04:002014-05-18T13:12:29.008-04:00That post by Simcha was so spot on. My oldest is o...That post by Simcha was so spot on. My oldest is only 7 but it stuck a chord so deeply. I already have such ease on the horizon. I know it'll just get better. In retrospect, it's amazing how fast those hard, deep-in-the-trenches years go by. You really are in them, and they feel endless, and then you blink and they're gone. Blythe Fikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01083711888523698156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-39196621044828348782014-05-18T11:11:32.851-04:002014-05-18T11:11:32.851-04:00I feel like I went through my own terrible two'...I feel like I went through my own terrible two's during the middle of my son's second year. He was testing me and I was failing horribly. I really had to step out and take a good long look at what kind of parent I wanted to be and what kind of parenting I wanted to do and change myself, but it was hard but it got better. You'll get better at dealing with the tantrums - the more work you do now to foster love and respect in your children the smoother the road should be down the line. I remind myself of that daily, hard work now should, God willing, pay off in the future.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17904858990740505588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6868105120934453133.post-5993744038537032312014-05-18T10:48:09.887-04:002014-05-18T10:48:09.887-04:00Girl. I got you. Ruby is 18 months old, and she...Girl. I got you. Ruby is 18 months old, and she's been having tantrums since, oh, 10 months? Just today we were at the grocery store, and she cried the ENTIRE time. Because I wouldn't let her walk. Because I wouldn't let her hold a Minnie Mouse CHAIR. Because I wouldn't let her have an Elmo sandwich holder. Because I wouldn't let her repeatedly throw a bag of beans on the floor.<br /><br />I don't know how other parents handle it at all. Sometimes the tantruming makes me so angry that I become bitter and resentful and even a little mean. I try to remind myself that not only is SHE growing, but so am I. And I give myself a little grace. And I APOLOGIZE immediately, and she's so very, very forgiving. You're right -- the forgiveness is something we all need to learn from our children. Not only to forgive other people, but also ourselves.<br /><br />ANYWAY -- I just want to say you definitely aren't alone. Maybe there are moms who completely have it together (doubtful), but I think most of us struggle through it until we get to the other side. I look at my mom, and she has so much more patience with my daughter than I do and I know it's because she's been through this already.Rachel Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00799605175091167524noreply@blogger.com