There are many faces you might see me put on, as parent.
The one where I am jumping up in the air, because the kids didn’t fight once that day or everything worked out just perfectly start to finish. It wouldn’t matter how tired I was, I would find the strength to jump, actually it would be the adrenaline from the excitement of that no fight day. I might even be able to run a WHOLE mile…don’t judge, just because I am on the smaller side doesn’t mean I am in great shape, but that’s a whole other blog post.
It may be a face similar to this, where I have tears streaming down my face because of the never ending battles between children. Yes, even though I try to hold it together, there are days when it just gets to be too much and I break down. Breaking down, is totally okay, it just means that even us supermoms, are human.
Supermom = being everywhere at once, always knowing what are kids are and are not doing, while simultaneously working on a blog post that I hope kicks butt, but it doesn’t mean I don’t breakdown. It happens oh boy does it happen, and when it happens to me, it’s like opening the flood gates. Thank goodness, those flood gates, make me stop, pray, and refocus. Because prayer is what really gets me through happy, mad, sad, and every other moment this parenting adventure brings.
Oh yes, there times I wonder….what did I get myself into? Not because I regret becoming a parent but because, frankly, it sucks when you don’t have the right answer all the time. It’s human nature, to want to be right all the time, but there isn’t a lot of room for that part of human nature in parenting. You are going to be right BUT you are also going to be wrong……A LOT. I am not a fan of being wrong, especially when being wrong usually ends up in me making mistakes as a parent.
Luckily, I haven’t made any mistakes that are going to scar my kids for life, but still, it’s not the easiest thing to learn what works and what doesn’t and then apply it in this parenting journey. The poor first child, gets the brunt of the learning process, then with each additional child, at least you’ve been through most things. My teenager, just gets to deal with this learning curve while he grows up, because he is the one who I will experience all these firsts with. Poor kid.
No matter what “face” parenting puts on me on any given day, you can assure that EVERY day it ends with lots of love. I am a mom to three amazing kids, who are my world. It doesn’t matter if they are being extra sweet and snuggly, or driving me a bit insane, they are one of my reasons to live. They give me hope, they make me love more, they make me want to be more, they are inpiring. So, while this crazy little thing called parenting, can drive me almost insane and yet make me love and better myself more than I thought possible, it’s something in my life, I would be incomplete without.
Those kids, they are such blessings and I am so glad I get to have this crazy little thing called parenting as part of my life. What have you learned in your parenting journey?
Toni Patton
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The number one thing I’ve learned is to trust my gut. It has led me to the best decisions I’ve ever made in parenting, in relationships and in life.
Parenting is probably the most difficult thing I have ever done in my whole life. No one prepared me for what comes with parenting a child and step-kids. There are days that I just cry and I know its OK. Some days are better than others, but so worth it!!!
This is a great post Toni! Parenting definitely takes a lot of patience and control. I know we all don’t have every answer but we can always make it through each one and learn something in the end!
I’ve learned that as long as my kids are healthy, I have no problems 🙂
Your kids are so cute, your beautiful daughter is such a mini me! She has your eyes and hair!
Since my girls are 20 & 16, I’ve learned to enjoy every minute with them even the ugly times. You will laugh at them later and it is all worth it!!
I’m still wondering what I’ve gotten myself into. Wouldn’t have it any other way though!
Hi Toni,
I came across your blog and found it to be really enjoyable and fun to read. the biggest thing I can take form this is “You are going to be right BUT you are also going to be wrong……A LOT…” Something I should actually learn from my mother, haha.
I just started a blog called “The Scared Dad” http://www.thescareddad.com, and I’m trying to find some bloggers that I can relate to and share stories with.
Again, I enjoyed this post. Thanks
I have learned so much. That things are just things – they are not who we are. So what if a child ruins carpet or scratches furniture. It can be replaced – kids cannot.
You have such cute kiddos! I haven’t learned the joys of siblings rivalry yet but it’s in my near future 🙂
Just keep on keeping on! Even on days where everything seems impossible. There is light at the end of the tunnel.