‘While gathering laundry, my eye caught sight of my son’s shirt. Honestly, I almost walked right by it. But something was different about this.’: Mom urges ‘children are doing the best they can’ 

“What if we believed our children were doing the best they can?

This afternoon, while gathering up laundry, my eye caught sight of my son’s shirt.

Now, honestly, I almost walked right by it.

But something was different about this scene.

It’s the first time my son has taken off his church button-up and replaced it on his hanger.

No, it’s not perfect.

Yes, it’s still disheveled.

But he was trying to do the right thing…completely unprompted.

I think so often parenting is like this.

And we walk right by our children’s best efforts.

I encourage you to look around a little more…for messy little shirts with beautiful intention.

Our children need that grace today and in all the tomorrows to come.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Lauren Fortenberry. You can follow her journey on Facebook and Instagram. Submit your own story here, and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories.

Read more stories from Lauren here:

‘Mommy, does everybody die?’ Last night, we took our kids to the Mr. Rogers movie. Her eyes pleaded with a strange urgency.’: Mom praises Fred Rogers for invaluable lessons, ‘our hearts have never forgotten’

‘Things will droop. Little people are watching. The physical features you once hated now define you. Embrace them.’: Mom shares candid lessons on ‘self-love’ learned in her 30s

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