Don't sweat the little stuff

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Found this beautiful art print on Etsy. I love it so much. The words are so simple, but so calming. This is a good reminder for me.

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These beautiful words have struck my heart and continue to do so on a regular basis. I love this art print {which is a printable pdf} and plan on making a place for it in our cozy apartment.

Sometimes I get completely overwhelmed in every possible sense. Today was one of those days. I've been feeling a little extra sensitive lately about the most difficult, amazing experience of being a parent. I LOVE being a parent so much, especially to such a beautiful, sweet, fun, smart little boy named Jared, but it is SO HARD sometimes! Jared is very very sensitive and pretty high maintenance, and most days I feel like I deal with issues fine. Other days, not so much. Lately he has been challenging me in just about every possible way, not just on a couple of things. I have been trying to figure out the best way to handle things in the best way for all of us. So while I am questioning lately everything I do as a parent and whether not I am even capable if being the parent to this precious little spirit, I find that other people are eager to tell me what I am doing wrong and questioning my judgement as a parent. This makes me feel even less capable. Why do we do that to each other? Why is it so easy to criticize others and their parenting styles?  We should be building each other up and supporting one another, because we all know it can be difficult and need some cheering on.

One of the things we've been dealing with as far as Jared is concerned is that lovely stage, potty training. Jared has been capable for quite some time. A couple of months ago he started going fairly regularly on the potty and we thought we were nearing the end of the diaper stage. Well he continued an a great track for a while, with a few minor set backs, which is common. Lately though, he has decided that he doesn't want to at all. Especially poo in the potty. He has had all kinds of accidents and doesn't care, and rewards for using the potty don't matter to him. One thing about him is that he is SO stubborn and if he doesn't want to do something, there is pretty much no way to get him to do it. You pretty much have to wait for him to decide he wants to do something. We just keep hoping he will decide he wants to start making better choices, but he doesn't {I mean this with other aspects other than potty training as well}. I have been trying to be patient, but today I pushed my limit by trying to push him. I should have stepped back and thought about what I could expect from the little man at this point. Instead, I ignored all the things I know about Jared, and expected him to handle things how I see most kids handle them. This was a bad parenting choice on my part. I caused both of us to have a melt down because I was being impatient and expecting too much. As the day has gone on I have realized that Jared is a very special individual, and his needs are not the same as any one else's. Not the same needs as the neighbor kids, or the kids in his class at church, or his cousins. We all have different needs and we all have our own set of emotions and capabilities. I need to stop fretting over so many of the small details and realize that the big picture is the most important. The details work themselves out with time. My job right now is to love him unconditionally, cheer him on, and make him realize what makes him so special. Elder Uchtdorf's words couldn't be more  perfect. I am so grateful for a living prophet and for the opportunity to hear his words and the words of his appostles. General Conference is this weekend and I am looking forward to hearing the lord speak through his servants and touch my heart.  I hope that I can learn from these experiences and become a better parent to Jared. I hope in life I will remember to slow down and look at the big picture and not sweat the small stuff. Next time I am tempted to judge or criticize another parent I will try to think twice about it, and instead cheer them on.