You all know I'm a flawed person. I struggle daily with my imperfections, trying to 
figure out which parts are ok to not be perfect, and which parts I have to find a way to fix. At the end of the day, I can't always say I'm happy with every choice I've made and every attitude I've had. Luckily, though, I'm usually too tired to dwell on it as I fall asleep.
And a lot of you know that I struggle with my attitude as a parent. I have an energetic child who sometimes pushes me to the brink and I get frustrated with him. I don't ever physically harm him, and I don't curse or scream at him -- but there are moments that I'm less than loving. I struggle daily with this. I want Jake to know that I love and cherish him. I want him to grow up with overwhelmingly positive memories of me. But how to overcome my emotions?
I've finally found a quote to help me. A simple, 10 word prayer that brought tears to my eyes when I read it on a layout in a scrapbooking book written by Ali Edwards. A prayer I can write on my heart and claim as my mantra, a prayer to cling to and repeat to myself in moments of frustration. A prayer to remind myself what parenting is all about, a prayer that finally captures the words I've been searching for. The words to this simple prayer?
. . .
. . .
. . .
Lord God, help me to be kind to my children.
May 4th, 2002 Our wedding
September 14th, 2002. Going home from the hospital with 2 day old baby Jake!
10 days old and we're ALL worn out!
1st Halloween (6 weeks)
1st Christmas (3.5 months)
January 2003 ~ 4 months old
July 2003 ~ 10 months old
December 2003 ~ 15 months old
June 2004 ~ 21 months old 
Lou's 28th birthday. 10-23-2004. 
Easter 2005 ~ 30 months old 
That's great - sometimes the simple prayer is the best. I've decided to give this blog thing another try. Here's my new address:
http://chowgal.blogspot.com
Judy
Posted by: Judy | January 03, 2005 at 10:30 AM
Great mantra to hang on to, Jen!
Posted by: sandi p. | January 04, 2005 at 06:05 AM
What Sandi said! I reallllllly LOVE that pic of Jake, I would be framing that one!
Posted by: Kelly | January 04, 2005 at 09:12 AM
Jen,
Ali sent me the link to your Blog. It was so nice to read your reaction to the prayer that Ali found in my collection of pictures and used in her book.
It sounds like you care very much about your child and want to do what is best. The simpilicty of that prayer is helpful to keep repeating, especially when the frustrations of daily living can overwhelm you.
May God answer your prayers and help you in the most important job of parenting.
Pati McDougall
Posted by: Mom | January 18, 2005 at 07:08 PM