My name is Sherry Osborne. I am a stay at home mom with 3 boys ages 5 1/2 yrs, 3 1/2 yrs, and 8 months. Both my husband and I are Choleric temperaments with Melancholy being my secondary. So schedules do fit well with the task oriented side of my temperament but that is not to say that it is always “easy” to implement and stick to.

I was asked to share my unique perspective with “structure and routine” on a panel at our local Godly Encouragement for Moms (GEMS®) meeting. Our family’s unique situation involves lots of doctor and therapy appointments because our 3 1/2 year old, Caden, was born with health issues that has required open heart and stomach surgeries as well as numerous other surgeries/procedures since he was born. Some of the medical issues have yet to be resolved and require us to carry feeding and suction machines when we go out. So needless to say, we don’t go many “optional” places. I say “optional” because, compared to doctor and therapy appointments, fun outings for us are an “optional” choice!

I think back to those early days of parenting when it was just me with one healthy little boy. I really enjoyed being a mom who was on the go. A normal week allowed us partake in activities and play dates to my heart’s content. However, our definition of “normal” changed when Caden was born. A life on the go was no longer an option. At GEMS® last month, Anne Marie talked about the abundance of activities available to us moms and that most of them, in themselves, are “good things.” This is what I found myself wrapped up in before Caden came along and I should admit, that even now, I often long to partake in many of those “good things.” I have found that for our family the benefit just doesn’t outweigh the costs.

It was during one of these “I wish I could…times,” that the Lord revealed to me that the thing I disliked (of not being able to go out much for fun) was actually a blessing to my children and our family as a whole. I am reminded of Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” God knew the plan He had for our family and He gave Hank and I each of our children for a reason. The blessing, which I see in hindsight, is that not being able to go out day after day has allowed me to be proactive in training my children. After all, we’re supposed to train our children in “times of non-conflict” and in private rather than in public. In other words, we have to teach things at home if we expect to use them in public.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of my contribution to this series as I share some tips on “self control training” which has become vital asset to the outings we do make.