I’ve been on auto-pilot many times as I’ve driven home from the grocery store. It’s not until I pull onto my street that I realize I can’t remember the last ten minutes and six miles. I’ve taken that route so many times I don’t think about when to turn, when to speed up, and when to slow down. Then I wonder . . . did I stop at the red light? Did I check for anyone crossing the sidewalk? Auto-pilot scares me.
In parenting, there are three types of auto-pilot:
The Questions:
- Where am I? You’re in a different neighborhood than you anticipated. Suddenly you look around and realize your child should have been potty-trained three months ago or he not only knows how to turn on the computer, but he also knows how to find his favorite cartoons and start watching them online! (Both are from experience.)
- I’m who? There are moments when you’re cooking dinner or cleaning bottoms (not at the same time!) when you wake up and realize, I’m the mom. These are my kids, and this is my responsibility!
- What am I doing? Auto-pilot can affect your mind, heart, and schedule. Your day starts off like any other, but soon you find yourself in the crazed middle of it, questioning how your life ended up so busy. Your mind is full of thoughts and worries that won’t stop, and your heart is burdened by too many things.
The Answers:
- Yes, you are in unfamiliar territory. (News flash—as long as your kids grow and change, you will always be in unfamiliar territory.)
Read the rest of the post (and find out the rest of the answers) on Hope for the Weary Mom!
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