Where Did You See Greatness Today?

At dinner we try to ask everyone where they saw greatness in their day. Usually it’s our time to just praise the kids for something we saw in them. Some act of kindness or a little growth.

Last night when asked this question Eleanor said: “Today mom got mad— but then she said sorry to us.”

Woof. We’ve been going through something over here. It might be from all the extra time together inside the house, but it just feels like nobody is at their best lately. Most days I’m rotating kids in timeout, having the same conversation over and over again.

“We don’t throw toys when we’re angry, we use our words. Let’s try again.”

“What’s more important, this toy or your friendship?” (They get this answer right about 50% of the time. )

“Our words matter, let’s try saying that in a kind way.”

When offenses are made, we cool off, we come back together, we have a conversation, and we try to make it right.

All day. Every day.

Yesterday we finally made it to quiet time and I had a million things I needed to squeeze into the hour. I kept hearing the big kids yelling and finally realized they were trying to communicate through their open bedroom windows. Scheming of course. What finally put me over the edge was when the screens were popped out and they were attempting escape.

It wasn’t my finest moment as I stomped into their rooms, slammed the windows, and handed out some words.

As I walked back to the kitchen I felt so angry— at myself really. For getting worked up when they were just being kids. As I went back to what I was doing, I thought about what happened. How they acted. How I reacted. The weight sunk down that I was wrong and I knew I needed to make it right.

The walk back to an apology always feels so long doesn’t it?

I slowly opened their doors and asked them to sit down with me.

“I’m sorry you guys. That was not right for mom to get so frustrated. I still struggle sometimes with anger. That’s why mom needs Jesus. Will you guys forgive me for getting angry?”

Kids are just the best at forgiveness. There were resounding “yeses” all around (although Jude did follow up with “AGAIN MOM? Why you always need to say that over + over?” Lord help me.

So back to our dinner conversation last night. When Eleanor said that was her moment of greatness she witnessed—I cried.

I am so very thankful for my kids who remind me of where they see greatness, even on days where I fail greatly.