A Mother's Love for Her First-Born

I have given birth to two children in the last five years. I love both of them in very different ways. I love them both with a fierce protection. If I think about it too long and too hard, I would collapse from the intensity of the emotions that I feel for them. As my first born is entering his "big-kid" phase, I feel as if I am beginning this parenting thing all over again.



In so many ways, your first born is the guinea pig. They get all of it...your time, your attention, your worry, your doting. Lucas has multiple scrapbooks I've made for him...I havent even begun Cason's and he is nearly 1!

I was so immature when I had him, and in many ways I grew up with him. My parenting style was anything but consistent when he was little. He has learned with me as I have learned. I've made many mistakes (haven't we all?), but he is turning out to be a pretty good kid. ;)

How is it that the little boy who could not leave my side is about to start Kindergarten? The little boy who was obsessed with Diego and the Wonder Pets is now obsessed with baseball and wrestling, and has a crush on Carrie Underwood? In so many ways, he is still a little boy, and yet, I see tiny glimpses of the man he is turning into. I feel like I am treading on thin ice some days. Do I push him harder? Do I let him fall and learn on his own? Someone recently told me it was time to start letting him go a little, and I thought... Now? No, now is the time for guidance. Now is the time to be his cheerleader. Now is the time to let him know that he has to work hard for his character, work hard for integrity, work hard for the grades, work hard if he wants to be grand.


I've learned to set the standards high. If the standards are low, that is what he will deliver. If the standards are high, than he will try. And in the end, that is what I really want from him. Not perfection, but that he tried his hardest.

There will be plenty of time for letting go later.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.


I am thankful that I have this child in my life...and pray for daily guidance in the ways to rear him.