Discipline

If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it—how shortsighted to refuse correction! Proverbs 12:1

When I was in PT school, my days were mapped out for me. I had class all day and studied anytime I was not in class. I knew when I would eat and what time I hoped to go to sleep. I had Wednesdays off, so that was my day to clean the house. Granted, I was only cleaning up after 2 then, but I even found time to exercise and go shopping when I needed groceries. My current life is spinning out of control, and I crave that discipline and that planner with every single moment written down and accounted for!

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Kids crave discipline”? I think adults do, too. We like to enjoy a clean house and feel good about our toned bodies. We don’t, however, like the work involved in getting there. We don’t like to be told what to do…even if we are our own drill sergeant. But we do so much better when we have a schedule and stick to it. Just like our little ones, we thrive when we go to sleep and wake up at the same time. Although those sleep in days are nice, just think of all that could be done in that extra hour or two!

But let’s pause a moment and be realistic. There are certainly 2 ends of the spectrum. Please don’t try to micro-manage your life until you miss out on all the fun of raising kids. Sometimes you just have to ditch your plans to scrub the sink when that cute little one comes up to you with book in hand saying, “Mommy wead”. Do set some goals, do make some lists, and definitely cross one off each day you can. But don’t forget the excitement that comes with a spontaneous trip to the park on a sunny day or a spur of the moment ice cream cone…even if it means a little more to clean up!

These days are already passing so quickly. Parker and your children won’t remember the sparkling floors or Mommy’s toned arms. They will remember rolling around on the floor (which you have crossed off your list as clean enough to roll around on). And they will remember being lifted onto the slide by Mommy (who crossed a kick-boxing class off her list to get those strong arms). So make your lists, cross them off, and get to work!