I feel like our Sunday pics are a metaphor for parenting, in some ways.
People ask all the time how we get “so many kids to all look and smile.”
Of course, the answer is we don’t always (we didn’t get all looks + smiles in any of our attempts today; you can see some outtakes in my stories).
But we do more often than not bc:
1. We prioritize it. Our family loves looking back on the last 5+ years of #mifmsundays. It’s so fun to see how much the kids have grown.
2. We are consistent. Our kids know this is coming; most weeks, we walk out onto the porch + snap a picture as soon as we get home from lunch, and since it’s routine, nobody freaks out about it.
3. We convey clear expectations. Everybody knows where to stand and what to do, partially from habit but also bc we convey this information to them before we snap the pic.
4. We follow through. There are plenty of times it would be easier to skip the picture (and sometimes, we do). But most weeks, we make the effort bc it’s worth it.
5. We don’t belabor the point. This entire process typically takes maybe 3 minutes. Harping is a good way to lose kids’ attention in any area.
And you know what? This is pretty darn similar to how we parent.
Our goal is not to “produce” anything but instead to point our kids toward the Lord every chance we get. And, to do that, we have to establish clear, consistent practices with expected steps so that there’s not a lot of “noise” keeping them from hearing the important parts.
Does it always turn out great? Nope. There will always be the toddler meltdown from the missed nap, the diaper blowout at the most inconvenient time, the sulky attitude (from us too!), or the intentional provocation.
The goal is not perfection bc practice does not make perfect, simply consistent. What we practice, we will consistently achieve (whether good or bad). And our goal is to consistently be a blessing to each other + others, as unto the Lord.
(Swipe for more practical ideas + pics).