38 Comments

  1. As a new mom, there’s been a lot of firsts. The interesting thing is that I find that if I start off being overly-controlling (or burdened) with something, that thing will continue and sometimes control me (ex. my extreme tidiness/organization). If I start off with being more relaxed about it (like not being a perfectionist cleaning) then I find the thought pattern naturally follows me and it’s just not a big deal.

  2. I love to learn to not be so controlling over everyone and every situation that come up with my family!

  3. Yep, I have control issues and everybody knows it. I have been anxiously waiting for this book to come out since Karen first mentioned it.

  4. I have the hardest time around the holidays in letting my children have free reign of the traditions and decorating. I’m sure there are a number of things I have insisted on for the sake of creating memories that they don’t like and wish we didn’t do. I’m trying to relinquish control and allow them to be part of deciding on our family traditions so that they will be fun memories that actually hold meaning for them when they are older.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Yep, control freak I am. God please help me see the errors of my ways!

  6. I struggle the most with controlling my home and my time which causes me to struggle sometimes with my husband and God.

  7. Tara Duke says:

    Being in control is probably one of the biggest struggles I deal with. I try and micromange everything my children, my husband, what we wear, what they eat, when and how etc. It seems to never end and we all end up frustrated and disappointed. I’ve been doing the fiveday chaos to calm challenge by email and love it. Can’t wait to get the book to see what else God has instore for me to let go of:)

  8. Nancy Silvers says:

    My biggest control issue is lack of control….does that make any sense? I have swung from too much control to not enough. I need to find balance:) I would love to go back and be more gracious when I didn’t recieve what I thought I wanted for Christmas and accept the gifts in the spirit in which they were given. I hurt alot of feelings and had my feelings hurt over such rediculous things.

    I can’t wait to read this book 🙂

  9. I think my biggest control issue is dealing with my college age kids and being able to let them make their own mistakes.

  10. My biggest control issue is the use of the van. We only have one family vehicle and now I see my youngest daughter repeating my words about the van when I go MIA. Sometimes I just want to Hide in Starbucks from the schedule. Actually, doing that right now.

  11. I need to give our 12 year old room to make his own mistakes. I need to guide, not steer 🙂

  12. This is a Season of Letting Go.

  13. I would go back and be more light-hearted with my boys and not try to control everything!

  14. I’m a recovering perfectionist, ergo a control freak. Suggest a project, event, excursion, and I’m raring to jump in and take control. In the past couple years, God has put me in an organization where I’ve had to curb that need to be in control and follow others. As a reminder, I have a cup holder that says “I’m not in charge. I just know what you should be doing.” I would love to win the book but plan to read it either way.

    And I’m going to be reviewing your website to learn more about the personality types you mentioned.

    Thank you for your blog.

  15. My husband says I try to control everything. I am an orderly type A personality and I like structure and now my children are becoming ME. I need to learn to LET GO and let others in my family have a say even if it simply what we eat for dinner.

  16. Anonymous says:

    I try and control everything around me so much that I feel like I am completely out of control and about to spontaneously(sp) combust!!!
    DeenaK
    Iowa

  17. I think that I struggle with control more than I realize. I’m possibly still in denial…
    Moms have potential to try to control so much because we feel like if we don’t take the reigns, nothing will get done (at least to our satisfaction!)

    1. Yaya —

      I think we also control so much because we see so much to DO. Karen points out that life is so much more complicated than it was in Little Home on the Prairie days! We have so many options, so many needs, so many directions, it lures us into thinking we can have control!

  18. I am anxious to get a copy of this book. I am a recovering control freak. Galatians 1:10 redeemed me from that lifestyle. Praise be to God Almighty!!!

    1. “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

      SO true…yet so easily overlooked, especially in a church culture that seems to encourage us to do, do, do as a way to please God!

  19. Oh, I so need this right now in my parenting journey! I have a daughter going through hormone changes, becoming a preteen. – I pray alot!

    1. Oh, prayers your way, Lana!

      SUCH a hard time…for her AND for you! I never knew when to take my daughter seriously…everything was the end of the world. I developed a lot of sympathy for my husband, since she takes after her Drama Queen mama! 🙂

    1. God bless us Type As — I suspect we’re the ones who coined the phrase “the Lord helps those who help themselves” or at least believe it’s got to be somewhere in the Good Book… 🙂

  20. I have the greatest struggle over trying to control what happens to my adult children. In my mind I thought I was being a good mother. It is only recently that I realized that I was a control freak. This came about as a result of my mother-in-law. Even though my husband and I have been married 36 years, she has started to tell us what to do when it comes to family members (i.e., send a sympathy card, encourage a brother who is unemployed).

    As a result of this, I now know what it must feel like for my own children. I have made great progress, but I still struggle with it and have to watch what I say to or do for them.

    I’m looking forward to reading your blog, as you journey through letting it go.

    1. Lori —

      I SO understand this kind of sudden realization! I’ve been so proud that I’m not “that kind of mom,” but it turns out I am…just in my own way.

      So great that you’re using your experiences with your MiL to empathize with your own children!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *