Phone Limits

My two little boys, Benny and Charlie, have been a REAL challenge to me over the last year and a half. They were fighting most of the time and someone was always crying, yelling, screaming, and or injured. I didn't know what to do other than to pray...hard! I came to the conclusion that I needed to focus on them more and on me less, starting with limiting my phone conversations. For the past month and a half, I haven't spent more than 5 minutes at a time on the phone except for when they are in bed, or with Daddy. What a dramatic difference it has made!!! They are getting along better and I have even spotted some good behavior and genuine care and concern for each other!! Sometimes, I forget how pivotal my role as a mother is, they need to know that I am watching and that I care about what they are doing. Benny has become much more affectionate with me and we have been reading together more often...Charlie even likes to get in on the reading action. I have spent so much time feeling sorry for myself and allowing myself to feel rundown and often, I have felt incapable of changing or motivating myself to wake up and LOVE my family. They NEED me. I am not important to the world, but I AM important to them. Primarily, I will be judged on my vocation as a mother. My other commitments, although very good, don't even come close to that level of importance. It will always be a challenge to maintain that delicate balance of my vocation as a mother and feeling as though I am a contributing member of society....but I must remember that by being a loving and involved mother, I am contributing future well formed God-fearing citizens.(hopefully!!) Mothers have the power to change the world with love, tenderness, and mercy. Sweet Mary our Mother, help all mothers to wear your gentle mantle of grace and selflessness.