When parents welcome their children into the world, they want to give them absolutely everything in life. However, as they get older and expenses mount, it becomes more and more difficult to afford all of the fancy new toys, clothing, and vacations.

As a mother of five, Cassandra Lane knows firsthand how difficult financial issues can be for families. Though her family has had to make sacrifices when they are strapped for money, Cassandra knows that the most important thing she can give her children is love. Despite this, Cassandra’s confidence in her parenting abilities just took a major hit when she saw how much other kids her son’s age have.

It all started when Cassandra was waiting with her son Zeke to take his high school senior photos. She took to Facebook afterwards to reveal what happened next.

“Earlier this week we went to get Zeke’s senior yearbook pictures. On the way, I noticed his hands. Working hands. Hands that look familiarly like my dad’s work-stained hands and like Brandon’s in the early years of our marriage,” Cassandra wrote. “I told him not to worry about it because they were doing headshots. I was wrong.”

Cassandra continued:

“As we sat in line, I notice kids in letterman jackets with their class rings. And I notice Zeke’s stained hands. I began to tear up. Have I given him everything a parent should give to their child as he has grown up? He works out in the heat, 30-40 hours a week during the summer. He didn’t want a class ring or a letterman jacket. He didn’t get a new car. The mommy comparison game tells me I didn’t show him how much I love him with things. I left there feeling bad about myself and how we have raised our son.

I’ve been reflecting the last few days and crying a lot, honestly. I apologized to Zeke and he laughed at me. He said, ‘Why are you sorry? Because you’ve taught me to work hard for things I want? Because I know the value of a dollar? Because I’m not going to think that I deserve to have everything I want?’

And my sister reminded me that the best things in life aren’t things, but relationships, and any shortfalls in my parenting are covered by God’s grace. So, mama’s, if you’re struggling with the parenting comparison game, just know that God gave you the babies you have because he wanted you, YOU, to be their mama. Not someone else.

I am beyond proud of Zeke, who has taken his brother shopping for a canoe today, using his money that he earned in a vehicle that he fixed with his own hands and gas he paid for by himself. I’m not ready for Zeke to grow up, but I think he’s well on his way.”

Instead of being upset about not having as much as his classmates, Zeke was happy that his parents had taught him the value of hard work!

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