Spotlight on a Mean Mom – Mitzi Limburg

The Mean Mom’s Guide to Raising Great Kids will be on store shelves March 2015!

While working on this book over the summer, mean moms and soft-marshmallow moms raised their hands to be a part of The Mean Mom Team, a focus group I pulled together on Facebook. I thought you should meet them!

Click here to join “The Mean Mom Team“. We’d LOVE to have you!

Here’s a little wisdom–what a child defines as mean… a mom defines a little differently.

Mean Moms instill loving boundaries and have a tough outer shell to stay the course. 

Would you please say howdy to our very own Mean Mama — Mitzi Limburg!

Mitzi, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself!

I’ve been married for 34 years to Harlan. We have three kids and a daughter-in law!  Corey, 30, is married to Lauren; Callie, 27, and Kyle, 18. No grandbabies yet, but I’m ready! We live in Cleveland, Tennessee and have been here for 22 years.

Are you a mean mom or a marshmallow mom?

Definitely a mean mom!  I think my husband would say “marshmallow” but my kids would say “mean!”  I do have my boundaries, but I’m pretty easygoing and always seem to give them the benefit of the doubt.  I am definitely a glass half-full person, so I believe the best about my kids until proven otherwise. 

What’s the toughest mean mom decision you’ve had to make recently? 

We have had to give a few “pushes” to our 27-year-old daughter to get her going on career plans.  It’s been hard because she is such a Jesus-loving, caring, smart, wonderful young woman.  

 What mean mom wisdom can you share with moms? 

The best mean mom wisdom I have is to raise your children up to become godly men and women.  To do that, you have to have discipline and boundaries.

Tweet This– Your job is not to make your children happy – remember, that’s not how God treats us and He is the best parent of all!  Love them enough to make them follow the rules. 

The second bit of mean-mom wisdom would be not to make your children more important than your marriage – putting your husband first shows your children what a healthy marriage looks like and gives them such security. 

 

Mitzi, is there a mom in your life who encourages you?

 

Joanne, you might think this answer is odd, but my daughter’s best friend is a young mom who has made it her life’s calling to be a wife and mom. She absolutely ENJOYS each day with her hubby and kids. I remember feeling this same way as a 20-something wife/mom. So, I LOVE seeing the next generation living this out.

I just LOVE that, Mitzi. It’s so true that no matter what a mom’s age, she can impact all of us. Do you have a favorite scripture verse for your mothering journey?

 

When my older kids were teenagers, I would always reference scripture and say “Let’s Philippians 4:8 that” – meaning what’s right, good, true, etc. I would have them think about music, movies, etc.  I’m sure they can all quote it!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

 

What is the legacy you want to leave your children?

I want them to know I was a woman after God’s own heart – I didn’t do it perfectly, but I truly wanted to please God.  I would also like my children to know that I loved their daddy with all my heart and them second only to him.  I want them to remember I was their biggest cheerleader and truly believed they could do anything!  And I pray they always know that being a Mom was the best thing I’ve ever done.