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MFP 282: These People are Driving Me Crazy! Growing in Patience

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

It's easier to be patient after we come to realize how patient our Heavenly Father is with us. Why is it so hard for parents to be patient with their children? People who thought they were good and normal adults find themselves tearing their hair out over the things done by a child half their size and a fraction of their age! One thing we tell parents over and over is that parenting is supposed to change you. It is supposed to form you. It is supposed to be challenging, so if you are struggling, that is OK! But we do have some tips for you and some stories that we hope will help change your perspective on growing in this essential virtue for moms and dads. Key Takeaways: * If you are impatient with your children you are normal! Lean in and allow yourself to be changed as you grow in virtue * Children need adults to slow down and give them time to do things by themselves * Parenting takes alot of time! Lessons need to be taught over and over. There is no magic bullet. Parenting is a marathon, not a sprint. * We can learn to be patient by first realizing how patient God is with us. We are disobedient, messy kids but our Father teaches us the same lessons over and over Couple Discussion: * How would you rate your patience on a scale of 1-10? How would you rate your spouse? Discuss this. * What lessons in your life has God had to teach you over and over? How has God been patient with you? * Which one of your children do you find it most difficult to be patient with and why? Which of your children to you find it easiest to be patient with? How can you learn from this?