It’s A God Thing

Many times I get asked – how do you do it? You cook and clean and homeschool and on top of that, you are a mother of 7!

First of all, let me tell you that I do not do it alone. At this point in my life, I have older children who are able to help out. And before I had these older helpers? I was younger! But seriously, I do not do it all. See 10 Myths Debunked.

But I have been thinking this through and wondering how I can be of help and encouragement to moms who are struggling. And I am reminded that it is a God Thing. 

I can’t do what I do on my own strength. I know that too well. There are many, many days that I try to and fall flat on my face and then rant and complain about it. Days when I feel like I am slowly going mad.

There are systems and routines we have set in place as a family. We have invested in training our children to be helpers and not just consumers in our home. We work as a team. The children are great helpers and I am thankful for them.

But other than that, it is truly God at work. How He sustains dh and myself when we are physically exhausted and mentally drained. And yet everyday we get up and do it all over again. His mercies ae truly new every morning. He certainly guides and sustains us as we do His work.

Is it easy? Nope. No way. And to top it off, it is tiring. I confess readily that there are days when I do wish I were somewhere far, far away doing my own thing. Then I need to re-focus. Tough but necessary. And turn to God. Afterall, it is a God Thing! So you can do it too.

Time to Start Solids

…Or not!

Once a baby hits the 6month mark, almost everyone will assume that he/she has started on solids. Some parents are even distressed that their babies persistently refuse to eat.

Well, I am here to buck the trend – again! We actually deliberately delay the introduction of solids for as long as possible

The usual plan is to start breastfed babies on solids when they turn 6months as their caloric needs increases around that time and it is often thought that breastmilk is no longer sufficient or nutritious but I beg to differ

A baby may be ready to eat at 6months but it doesn’t mean he should. There are many studies done which show that babies who are prone to allergies should delay starting solids as long as possible. And actually, babies are much smarter and more attuned to their bodies needs than we are! So a baby rejecting solids may actually be protecting his delicate gastrointestinal tract!

Since both sides of the family exhibit lots of allergy issues we’ve chosen to breastfeed exclusively for as long as possible. Please note that this does not mean we do not allow babies to eat if they want to. But most of our babies (except #1 & #3) do not lose their tongue thrusting instinct until 8 to 10months. So offering them food only results in them spitting everything out. And while they may want to taste or put what I am having into their mouths, they are by no means ready to eat a full meal or even a teaspoon of it! Like a MOMYS said – “At this age, even if you offer your baby a shoe, he’ll grab it to stuff it into his mouth!” Lol! Babies generally put everything into their mouths. It is not a sign that they are ready to eat.

So I let my babies take the lead. I strongly believe that breastmilk is the best, most well balanced, nutitionally superior food for babies in their first year of life. And I’d rather nurse them than feed them rice cereal. Besides, my babies almost always constipate when they first start solids No matter how diligent I am about increasing their water/liquid intake. Especially if they eat wheat based food items. Which hints at an immature/sensitive gut.

When they are finally ready, I feed them off my plate – gasp! As mentioned, they are mostly interested in tasting, and not eating, so it really doesn’t matter if they food does have seasonings in it. If they were eating more, I would be a lot more careful – as I was with #1.

In case you are wondering, I did do the whole pureeing/blending/mashing thing with our first child. And he loved his food! He would nurse to his heart’s content and then still be able to wallop a bowl of rice porridge! Three times a day! None of the rest were as enthsiastic as he is about food until they were weaned. And yes, he’s still very interested in food!

So far this has been our “pattern”. The babies are allowed to nurse as long as they want. They get a taste of “safe” foods as and when they indicate interest. I don’t prepare special foods for them. They eat so little it is just not practical. Sure, it is possible to freeze their food but it would take us a good 6months to finish even 1 bowl of food!

Usually after they turn one, their interest in food increases And so I feed them what ou family usually eats – which is usually Chinese food (rice, noodles, stir frys). The only thing I do monitor carefully is any reaction to any food. And I avoid giving them any seafood, except fish, and eggs for as long as possible. Now that I know better, I also try to avoid giving them any wheat-based foods until they are past a year old.

By the way, the number of teeth they have or have not does not interfere with their ability to eat solids. Babies are able to gum their food even if they have no teeth. Of course we must use our common sense not to give them hard or chewy foods!

I am not dissuading you from feeding your baby solids But I am sharing that it is not crucial that your baby must the moment he turns 6months old. Please do not get all stressed up if your 6 month old baby refuses to eat your steaming bowl of yummy porridge. Give him a break. And try again in 2 weeks’ time. If he still refuses, leave it. Just continue to nurse him and one day he’ll be ready and enthusiastic about food!

Just remember that as you intoduce solids, you must increase the amount of water/liquids you give your baby or you’ll have to deal with constipation as I did. It is really not a pleasant experience.

Happy feeding!

Dealing with Discontentment

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1 Timothy 6:6-7

In a society where we are always encouraged to upgrade – to the latest handphone, car, house, job, educational qualifications, etc. It is hard to be content with what one has. And yet Paul teaches that godliness WITH contentment is great gain. So we should learn to be content with what we have.

But it’s hard isn’t it?

And why are we discontent? Because we are unhappy with our lot. Why are we unhappy with our lot? Because we think we deserve better. Why do we think we deserve better? Because we deserve it. Why do we think we deserve it? Because we have worked very hard. Because we are good persons.

Notice how it is always about us? Where is God in all this?

NO.WHERE.

Who cares about God? It is all about what I want and deserve. It is all about me! Not very Christ-like, am I?

So what’s the solution? As I was mulling over this for the longest time (this post was drated 6 months ago!), I think the points below are worth considering.

Focus on God

Let us put God back into the picture. Into our lives. If we would always remember to ask ourselves, “What does God say to our situation?” This question, this focus, will eliminate alot of discontentment. Sure, God wants us to have the best. But is the best a bigger house? A newer car? More shoes? Or does He want us to work on being content and developing our Christ-likeness for His glory?

Focus on what we have

We need to focus on what we already have and not on what we don’t have.

So I would love to have a bigger place or perhaps live in a condo with nice facilities. But I don’t – not at the moment at least:) However, I do have a home to call my own which is truly mine and not the bank’s! And I can make it nice and neat so that there is space to move around in the home instead of tripping over clutter. Be Pollyanna-like if you will

Do we really need it?

This is one more question to ask. Do we really need to spend $200 to upgrade to the latest handphone? Or is it just something nice to have, so that we don’t look bad when all our friends are carrying the latest gadget?

 It is all about attitude and a mind set. Let us “set (our minds) on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2.

And this is a reminder to me as well! :)