Thursday, March 29, 2012

Wrangling Cats

Nice word picture, isn't it? Wrangling cats.  Truth be told, I spend a lot of time thinking I do exactly that.  As a mother, it is my job to train my children.  I need to see that they are making wise use of their time, completing their jobs adequately and generally making progress in all areas of their lives.  I make sure they are out of bed on time, don't dawdle while eating breakfast and quickly finish their morning chores.  I am in charge of seeing that they are kind to one another, always tell the truth and put other people before themselves.

It's harder than it sounds.  Really.  Just try to get numerous children of all ages moving seamlessly from one task to the next.  There is only one of me and four of them (I cannot include Maid Elizabeth in their wayward number) - I am truly outnumbered!  When I get one going in the correct direction, another darts out of the herd.  While trying to get that one back, and attempting to keep the first one on the straight and narrow, another gets off-track.  Just when I think I have everything under control, one of them will throw me a curve ball.  It is enough, from time to time, to make me want to throw my hands up in despair.

But, I don't really have quit in me and so I persevere.  Besides, there is nothing quite so rewarding as seeing my children learn and grow and mature.  It is something to behold on those days when they work like a well-oiled machine - and I know that the only way I will ever be rewarded with those days is by training them, every day, without fail.  I know that diligence and persistence will produce the fruit of well-adjusted children that are able to direct themselves and conduct their lives well.

But still.....it does sometimes feel like I am trying to wrangle cats!

4 comments:

  1. "I don't really have quit in me" That's a great statement of character. Montana Guy

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  2. Enola,

    I am a longterm blog follower of yours. I recently deleted my google account and now I have a new e-mail address howardroark@privacyharbor.com.

    It seems like trying to stay ahead in internet security is like "herding cats"

    I believe you still have many, many followers Enola, just that many are afraid of google now and just visit to read your site and not respond.

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  3. So glad I'm not the only one who has days like that (my children are younger and likely closer in ages than yours, so there are days where getting everyone fed and changed takes up the entire day).

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  4. Yes! This is my life -- and I wouldn't change it for the world!

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