"Nicks, Scrapes and Broken Beds"

Why do we sweat the small stuff in life? Little insignificant things...that don't amount to anything in the big picture of life. When we are dealing with our children, why do we focus on so many things that don't really matter? A glass of spilt milk can steal some of life's finest moments.



In about a month, we will celebrate our one year anniversary in our new house. I have had to learn not to sweat the small stuff throughout this year. A new home cannot stay perfect forever. The furniture cannot stay new and the walls cannot avoid nicks and scrapes. I love for my children to have their friends over and when you have teenagers accidents are going to happen.



Here's one of many examples that has happened to us this year: Mark Anthony turned 13 this past fall. He had 6 or 7 of his football buddies over for an all-nighter. Within the first 30 minutes, they decided to do a dog pile on his bed and we heard a crash. You guessed it, they broke his bed. We went to see what happened and his dad then went out to the building and got 2 cinder blocks and blocked it up. It actually shocked Mark Anthony to death, we didn't even say anything! What good would it have done for us to get mad or aggravated? No one intended for it to happen. We could have stolen one of our son's finest moments if we would've chosen to sweat the small stuff. There are many tales to tell, but you understand where I'm coming from. I am sure you can think of a few yourself.



Things like that are going to happen. We as parents need to learn to not sweat the small stuff and focus on the things that really matter in life like family and friends. Pick your battles. New things are just things. They won't stay new forever. Spills, nicks, scrapes, and broken beds are all a part of life. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff...enjoy your time together.