Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up...

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Remember that country music song? Well, maybe you don't. I never could get the lyrics straight -- something about Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys.

Well, my tune has changed. I'm singing, Mamas, don't let your babies grow up...at all!

I know, there's nothing I can do to stop them, but I'm singing some very serious my babies are growing up blues.

My oldest son is having senioritis, listening to college talks at school, and writing his resume and bio for college apps. Just thinking about leaving him at a college dorm makes my stomach clench. He cannot possibly be ready for this; he's just a baby.

And my second-born is being completely and totally tortured by his freshman curriculum. We're talking the difference between Hamiltonians and Jeffersonians -- and parsing and translating Latin sentences -- with quizzes every.single.day -- and velocity equals distance over time in km per second or is that km per second squared? -- and two quizzes and a test and a paper due all on the same day.

I just want to go back in time to the days when we had nothing more to worry about than how many diapers I had to change, or cleaning up wooden blocks 15 times a day, or even just a few years ago when I did have all of the answers. Now, all I seem to be able to say is, "I have no idea."

I wish that I knew how good I had it when I had it so good. How could I have possibly thought that terrible twos were terrible? Terrible twos are pure bliss!

So, I suppose that the moral to this going-nowhere story is, appreciate every single moment. If your baby can be made completely and totally happy with an ice cream cone, or a story book, or a game of Go Fish -- make him happy. Pretty soon you won't have all the answers and "completely and totally happy" will be a thing of the past. Because once they hit that age when your stomach clenches, it might seem as though it will never feel better again.

A Mother's Prayer for Her Children

Mary, Mother of Consolation, be with me now as I pray for my children. You, who bore the most perfect Child, know a mother’s concern for her children. You are the finest example of motherhood. Open your heart to my prayer.

There are times, Blessed Mary, when I feel so confused. My love for my children always directs me to do those things each day which will be good for them.

I always try to act in a way which will help them to be better Christians. It is often difficult for me to know what is right. Mary, please guide me through my doubts. Help me to know what is right. Help me to direct and raise my children, not for my own satisfaction, but for the glory of God.

Oh Queen of Heaven, my children are so frail in this world. Help me to guide them to know and love Our Heavenly Father. It is through His will that I have these children. They are truly His gift.

At this time, Blessed Mother of Consolation, I place my children under your care and protection. I know you will help them just as you have helped me. Keep us in your love, always. Amen.

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