I have over 12 years of being a parent under my belt but with time it hasn’t gotten easier necessarily. There are some things I deal with as a parent now that are much much harder than the sleepless nights and screaming days of newborn babies that are long gone. Of course there are things that are easier but whomever said after they got out of baby stage it gets much easier must not have reached the tween/teen years yet.
I have 3 kids. Two boys who are totally different in personality and a little girl who lives by the term princess. They are 12, 8, and 6. The oldest boy and the baby girl are so much alike they butt heads more often than not. The middle man is my calm one, when we ask or tell him something to do it’s usually done the first time. The girl is our handful, she is strong willed and hasn’t quite learned when it’s best to stop talking, she talks herself into trouble quite often.
However we are dealing with some stuff with my oldest, that is sometimes beyond what I think my capabilities as a parent can handle. I worry sometimes, and I guess that’s normal being a mom stuff but still there are moments I feel like “Geez, what in the world did I miss or mess up?” or “Could I have done something differently?“
I assume it has to do with the normal hormonal changes he is going through but when do you know if it’s more than that? No one told me that there parts of parenting that were going to be this hard. Parts that will make your heart break, words that can hurt you to the core, moments that you will be at a complete loss and worried sick over something that may seem silly to others.
You always hear about the love you experience as a parent and I think that is why it makes it hard. Because if you didn’t love your child your heart wouldn’t break when they are hurt. You wouldn’t worry when something is amiss. You wouldn’t soar with proudness at every accomplishment. You wouldn’t care about feeling helpless when they are going through something.
Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs I have ever had but at the same time it’s one of the most rewarding. Each day I look at my kids and no matter how crazy they have driven me, I remember that I was lucky enough to be chosen by God to be their mom. Now I just pray for the wisdom and patience to deal with all the things the rest of this parenting adventure brings my way.
What about you? Has parenting gotten easier, had more challenges or had about the same amount of challenges as your children have gotten older?
Toni Patton
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Parenting just isnt easy, it is a tough job!
I think parenting has different kind of challenges for different ages but definitely not easier.
I don’t think it ever gets easier. I think we’re made to think it does otherwise we might run for the hills!
Doesn’t get easier……Mine are 21 (this week) and 16! The challenges are always present…they just change with time! It’s through our faith we get through all of this- Hang in there!
I think parenting is so hard too. I’ve been thinking already that I’ve messed up my children’s lives. They are so young already but I feel I just can’t figure out how to let things go. Sigh, it’s hard so HUGS that you figure it all out and that you’re able to get through each day. You’re not alone!
Parenting definitely has it’s ups and downs. I hate to tell you, but even when they leave for college, it’s still hard. You worry that they don’t have everything they need, and it’s awful not knowing if they are home safe every night.
My son is 12 and he rarely gives us any problems. He does great in school and plays sports. He keeps his room tidy and his clothes put away. He can be a bit lazy at times but he always does what he’s asked and he helps me out a lot. It’s my 14-year-old step daughter who gives us problems.
She was always such a good girl and now she does nothing but lie and sneak and mouth off and cause conflict and try to turn one side of the family against the other just to get her way. Her grades are terrible and her room is beyond messy. She doesn’t respect anybody.
Parenting has its ups and downs and right now during the early teen years its not the funnest job in the world but hopefully its a stage they will grow out of soon. I hope your problems get better too.
We have four kids – 18, 15, 13, 11. I think this teenage thing is way harder than I ever thought it would be.
I think that my boys get semi-easier the older they get and my princess at age 9 is getting more difficult with hormones and such. Overall I am thankful to be a parent but sometimes it’s harder than I ever imagined. It’s one of those jobs I would never give up on though, the children are our future and so I keep trying and keep taking Mama time outs by stepping out of the room if I need to breath to come back and handle situations appropriately!
Going into the teen years is such a tough time. A lot of it must have to do with the hormones and that they’re trying to gain some independence. I feel for ya!
one thing I’ve learned about parenting is that it will NEVER be easy.