We’ve been getting lots of emails at The Power of Moms from mothers who believe in the mission of this site and want to apply what they’re learning to their families, but they wonder if it’s too late.
Many of these mothers are past the infant stage. Some have 19-year-olds, some have 10-year-olds, and others are already grandmothers.
The emails we’ve received are full of heartache–and a glimmer of hope. We can tell that these mothers love their children and are looking for hope and support to become the mother they really want to be when they’re starting a little late in the game or when they didn’t experience positive mothering first hand when they were growing up.
We’d love your help answering the following questions for our readers:
- Is it ever too late to become the mother you want to be or to implement deliberate mothering techniques?
- Can you effectively develop great relationships with teenagers if you haven’t built a firm foundation for that relationship all their lives?
- How do you get your older kids going on a positive behavior system or a system of family housework participation if you didn’t start it when they were toddlers?
(We’d love to hear stories, book recommendations, links to great blog posts, practical ideas, etc.)
Thanks!
Photo by Chris Emmert, Flickr.com
0 comments
Lisa says:
Jul 12, 2012
I am excited to follow this post
Cheryl Cardall says:
Jul 13, 2012
My oldest is 13 so I don’t have a ton of experience, but I have watched my in-laws parent their older children and while it may be too late to implement deliberate family systems, chores etc…. It is NEVER too late to deliberately and intentionally LOVE! I watched my mother-in-law drive 2 hours every month to connect with her son and daughter at college, fill their fridge and take them to lunch or dinner even while they were pushing away from the family. I have watched them open their arms when they chose to come home. I have watched them love and serve and make deliberate attempts to create family memories and family time together. Doing all this while standing strong with their beliefs and not comprimising what was important to them. It has been amazing to watch.
Ingrid says:
Jul 16, 2012
I have 9 children ranging in age from 6 months to 21 years. I am a much more knowledgable and practiced mom now than I was 20 years ago, and for sure I wish I knew then what I know now. Having said that, I do think that I can still make positive and significant impacts on my older kids, who I “messed up” on a lot when they were younger. I can listen listen listen (which I have found is one of the very best tools in my bag), and counsel very little (except when directly asked, and even then, be concise, not wordy). I can talk with them about the mistakes I made as a young mom, to help them see that I have learned more and become better, and help them to break the negative patterns I may have established, through teaching and discussion, when my example might be too late. I can still love love love them, it is never ever too late to show love. Never ever. I am sure that 20 years from now I will have lots more to say.
Anna says:
Jul 17, 2012
I am anxious to follow this one! I have two adult daughters–one married with 2 kids and one who is still in the college years but also getting ready to serve a mission for our church–and I am interested in seeing what I can do better with them at their ages.
Christine says:
Jan 2, 2013
I have three beautiful children 20 18 and 15. I notice they are separating and becoming their own beautiful people and I couldn’t be more excited for them or proud of them. I am, however, aching with sadness as I notice ALL of their posted photos are of vacations and good times that I have missed out on. There are numerous photos of them individually and collectively with their father on vacations and significant events. I however, am not in ANY photos even if I was at the particular event and it has been years since I have been able to afford a vacation with them. I work many hours and I am there for their needs, but I am afraid I have not made any impressions of FUN or lighthearted relaxing times. They all love Jesus and make good choices. I couldn’t ask for more….. Maybe I’m just feeling sorry for myself.. Yuk!!