Help
With Your Rule
Too Many Variables
Dear Holly
I bought your book because I was feeling overwhelmed - I am a mom of 3 children, ages 7,2, & 2 months. I have read the entire book & am ready to author my rule ... but I have a few questions... I feel like I have no down time because my newborn is very demanding of my time (I nurse and she is on no schedule). My 2 yr. old no longer naps .... My 7 yr old is the easy one but he is gone all day at school .... I would like to start a basic at-home preschool for my 2 yr. old - any suggestions? What did you do to accommodate for a new baby in the home??? How can I schedule things with so many invariables?
Labels: 4th P Parent, About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 1:51 PM
1 Comments:
I think there is only one way to begin with many variables - and that is to begin.
In Mother's Rule of Life, there are a series of questions, starting with the first priority of the married vocation - prayer - and ending wiht the last priority of the married vocation - provider. I strongly suggest just beginning at the beginning, and let the variables fall into place as you work out your rule.
I certainly understand about being overwhelmed! What mother hasn't experienced this? But I would also note that the rule is meant to be a response to the call of God first and foremost - a way to seek Christian perfection within the home - and not just a means to organize. Place all your desires for your home and family, marriage and personal life in the hands of God, and approach each question in MROL as if God were asking it of you.
If you respond to the call of God as he calls you in your vocation - and put Him first and all your 5 Ps in order because He calls you - then, it places everything in context and little things tend to get answered in the context of their own P.
Your desire to do a little preschool, for example - well, by the time you get to the 4th P Parent, you can set aside some time to a) design your program weekly and b) activate your program daily. But if you do it first, then it will take priority, and your 'rule' will become merely a schedule, which may or may not work.
As for the nursing baby - many women have slings and 'wear' their babies. I always considered the baby a part of me, until they were walking - and so the child accompanied me everywhere - either in a baby cradle or car seat or swing or playpen (as my back couldn't handle a sling - altho they looked comfy! :-) And as for nursing , I just did prayer during this time - or spiritual reading, or whatever.
Plus, you can watch your baby for a couple of days - when is he/she naturally eating? About how many times? When does she/he naturally seem to nap?
Keep track of this - write down the natural schedule and natural lulls- and then try to regularize a couple of time slots for nursing and naps. This will help a great deal.
So - start with the 1st P. Watch your baby's natural schedule. Set your meal times and getting up times. Start these and slowly begin to work out the rest.
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