I write to you my fourth and final letter. This one, as well, is about those sweet babies of yours. I know they are the joys of your life. But I also know when we’re gettin’ real with each other they can be the absolute challenge of your life. In those difficult times I hope these words come back to you. And bring you comfort.

**Thank you to Heidi of Mt Hope Academy for this photo

1. Everything is a season. It will pass.

2. Don’t pass judgment on what you don’t know. Because if it’s not you, then you probably don’t know. You will eat your words.

3. Your children will get dirty.

4. Commercial stain removers will get about any stain out. If it doesn’t, replace the clothes with something even cuter.

5. Your very young children will throw fits.

6. Your babies and toddlers will hit other children and you.

7. Your toddlers and post-toddlers will try out lying.

8. Your children will embarrass you in public.

9. When annoyances happen a million times a day – and they do – repeat after me… “it doesn’t matter.” Because, really, it doesn’t.

10. Forgive them and teach them the right things to do (they really don’t know yet) just as God is daily forgiving you and teaching you.

11. Your children were born into sin. Just like you.

12. Slow down – you can’t hurry and love simultaneously.

13. Hold them when they’re sick – until you think you’re going to lose your mind. And then hold them some more.

14. Your young children just want to be with you.

15. They won’t always want to be with you.

16. Your children will get hurt.

17. Don’t obsess about your child’s safety – be informed, be aware, and then trust them into God’s care.

18. When bad things happen – and they will – know it has already passed through God’s hands, He is completely heart-broken with you, and there is a reason.

19. You will not know “why” in the midst of situations very often.

20. God loves your children more than you ever could.

Suzanne is wife to one and mama to four. The little ones are 2 boys ages 7 and 5, a girl who’s 3, and a baby boy who’s not knee-high to a grasshopper yet. She eclecticly unschools with lapbooks the Charlotte Mason way. In other words, she doesn’t have the slightest clue what she’s doing, but does it anyway. She lives in a world where there are few absolutes. The dishes don’t stay cleaned, the laundry doesn’t stay put away, the children don’t remember what she told them yesterday. But in their chaotic lives they have found joy. And they’d love to share that with you. So, come on over, kick a path through the toys, have a seat on the couch and grab a cup of strong coffee. Just be ready to hone your skills of “interrupted conversation”! And be sure to stop by her personal blog at JoyfulChaos.