I decided to start out by saying that I love my kids. I also want to point out that they are small adults and understand far more than society gives them credit. Roommates, housemates, others residing with me in the same household...they are truly complicated when it comes to their position in the home. When considering that they are more than just tiny, helpless beings who rely on me for sustenance, their livelihood being school and household chores, I have a unique responsibility to continually drive them away from myself. Everything I teach them guides them on their own, making them more independent, to help them to live life on their own. It is my job to be here always, whenever they need advice or a listening ear. I love my job! I also despise the bickering, the screaming, the fighting, and the whining that take place in little spurts throughout the day. The refereeing job and the judge, jury, and executioner jobs really get to me. Some days I want to put myself in time out when nobody gets to talk to me, or sometimes I even feel like I want to run away from home for a week and see how everyone figures things out without me. It can be a thankless job.

However, children understand what is happening, as I said before, far more often than we give them credit. Just when I feel the least thanked, one of my children will ask me, "Mom, what's wrong?" and I'll say I just don't feel good. He will go to the others and they will all draw me a picture that says they love me, or they will try to fix dinner or make my bed to help me out. Each of the kids has recognized a time when I need a hug or a little extra help. They are the best kids I could have dreamed up.

Is it natural for kids to be so sensitive? Or is it taught? Do we curb their sensitivity by our actions as parents? I would LOVE to take the credit for their goodness, but I think I may be stepping on the Lord's toes. Plus, I'm absolutely not the perfect mom, and I will never claim that lofty title.