Talents

I knew that raising children would not be an easy task...actually quite difficult.  I knew raising three children of the same age would generate comparison between them.  I knew that there would be emotional sadness when someone would be invited to a birthday party and someone else wasn't.

We had our first "real" comparison meltdown last week.  It has been on my mind constantly.  Worrying and wondering how I can make my children know how individually important they are.

The meltdown was over someone being on a different level reading book at school.  That morning, I had asked that child to give our family prayer before we left to school.  That child specifically ask that they would remember words in their book and be able to move up a reading level.  That was my first sign someone was upset about something.

Oh, the tears that were shed that afternoon.  The "I'm not as smart as" or "why can't I be like that" comments that spilled out at the kitchen table while doing homework.  My heart truly ached for my sweet child that sat on my lap.

We had a long talk about how everyone has God-given talents.  Some are good readers, some are good at arts or sports, some are good at making friends, but we are each different.  Our Heavenly Father designed us that way because if we were all the same, we couldn't learn and grow.  But it is so hard for a 6 year old to understand this concept.

Since then, we've had a few more tears shed.  These sweet spirits that come from heaven are so tender.  They want so much to please and to feel important.  They are aching to be emotionally built up and to shine.  It is my job as a parent to make sure all this happens.  There are days when this task is so overwhelming.  Though they are triplets, they are so different.  Their needs and personalities are so different.

I can only imagine what it will be like when we have teenagers!