Problem solving

In a nutshell, doesn't that sum up much of parenting? Decision making and essentially problem solving? Forever trying to find solutions that will work for the entire family... Making decisions about scheduling and activities that will not squeeze out quality family time and down time, but allow the kids to explore and grow as well... Finding creative ways to get my preschooler to stop wetting her pants when I know she can because she didn't use to!... Figuring out when and how to fit in some sort of physical activity for myself... Making sure the beds get made, floors, kitchen and bathrooms stay clean (and lets not forget the laundry!)... Planning out the best route to accomplish errands in a short time span between naps, or before it's time to pick up one of the kids from preschool or the bus... Making the key decisions of which school to send the kids to and who will care for the younger ones when the time comes to head back to work... Weighing the feasibility of staying home full-time or scaling back to part-time and balancing the finances... Oh then there are all the sleep issues... figuring out a good bedtime routine that works to get the kids to bed early... getting the baby to sleep through the night... the toddler to stay in bed at night or preschooler to nap in the afternoon... the other to not be afraid at bedtime...

The questions and different possibilities of how these different issues and tasks can be handled keep a parent's mind going and problem solving non-stop whether we realise it or not! So many factors affecting every decision we make. I quite enjoy the problem solving aspect of being a mom... mainly because it feels pretty awesome when I (or we) find a solution that works for one the kids and for our family. It`s usually different for every child so there`s never a clear cut answer even if you find yourself facing the same issues, and as the kids grow, the decisions to make don't go away... they just evolve! I find myself praying for wisdom alot. For the big and little things... I love James 1:5-6

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

It`s easy to ignore verse 6 on that one, but you can`t... it takes faith in God that He hears us and a confidence that He will guide us in making the right decisions... it might take a while to find the right solution to whatever problem (however big or minor), but knowing that God's helping me along the way gives me peace and confidence in the every day and more complicated decisions that life brings my way!