I am no parenting expert..faaaaaar from it.
But I have EXPERIENCE. I have a 7 year old boy, a 5 year old girl and an 8 month old.
Reality check…babies are not hard. Baby care consists of making sure they are warm, fed, and clean. That is pretty much it.
They don’t care what colour their nursery is.
They don’t care if they even HAVE a nursery.
They don’t care WHERE you change their diapers and really..they don’t care what sort of diaper YOU use.
They don’t care what YOU label yourself as …AP, BF, Crunchy or non.
They don’t care how much you spent on your stroller or what type of carrier you use.
They don’t care where you bought their socks from.
They don’t care where you live or what your income is.
They just want to feel safe and warm and loved.
Parenting is not having a ‘baby.’ Parenting is having a person…..for the rest of your life.
The real skills are things like negotiation, diplomacy, PATIENCE, multi tasking, respect, PATIENCE,….wait, did I say patience twice?
Are you ready to work on your resume before this baby becomes a person…how are your listening skills? This is the toughest job interview you will ever face.
Being a parent is the most challenging thing to your sanity you will ever experience. Being a parent strips you down and exposes all your flaws and weaknesses….and your kids know it too.
They will touch every raw nerve in your body.
Being a parent also exposes your strengths.
Never forget to stop and pat yourself on the back when you realize you just juggled one tantrum, one feed, one call for help all at once without breaking a sweat.
Be proud when you don’t freak as you catch barf in your hands or hair or a mix of both and still keep your voice calm and loving for your now hysterical child.
Be proud of when you manage to stay calm when dealing with OTHER parents or teachers.
Be proud of yourself when you manage to stay strong when holding a sobbing child with a broken heart.
Be okay with yourself when your kids see you just as you are…a human being trying their best.
Kids appreciate that.
Babies grow into kids who appreciate that about their parents.
So seriously….don’t sweat the small stuff……it’s the big stuff that will kill ya!
PATIENCE is the key. And it’s what I lack half of the time.
This:
“Being a parent is the most challenging thing to your sanity you will ever experience. Being a parent strips you down and exposes all your flaws and weaknesses.”
is so, so true.
.-= Marilyn @ A Lot of Loves´s last blog ..Sidewalk Chalk: Wednesday of Few Words =-.
Amen. Just, amen. You are so on the money with this one.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..The In-Between =-.
Well I disagree that babies are not hard … your later phrase explains it all: “Being a parent is the most challenging thing to your sanity you will ever experience. Being a parent strips you down and exposes all your flaws and weaknesses….and your kids know it too.”
.-= Briana @ Tenth to the Fraser´s last blog ..A trip to Columbia (Station, that is) =-.
Fantastic post, and I will keep it in mind tomorrow when my toddler starts screaming and whining…again!
Gillian
.-= Gillian´s last blog ..Potty Training #2 =-.
seriously, things like your comments and Amber’s comments from her post, and any number of comments I have read lately on Mom blogs should be compiled into a book: The REAL World of Parenting. Little tidbits like that could possibly save someone…
Woot! Sorry for the double comment but this is the FIRST time Comment Luv has picked up my latest post since the domain switch. It’s the little things ou know 🙂
.-= Carrie´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: A rainy day =-.
Made my day! And I agree wholeheartedly.
Kudos for you for managing what is considered a large family in this day and age and doing all your blogging, organizing and .. and …
.-= harrietglynn´s last blog ..How open adoption came to be =-.
Such a great post . . . and so true!!
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Canadian-Friendly Friday Link-Up =-.
All sooooo true. Lydia is 3 months old today and it really has been easy. 🙂 I think because I am such a laid back person, it goes smooth. Cheers!
we do the best we can…and everyone’s strengths are different, right? Some people are good at the infant stage, some are great at toddlerhood. Some people really shine when parenting teenagers. There will be *something* that challenges everyone about parenting..but the key for me is to forgive myself, learn something, move on.
Crunchy you have my utmost admiration for managing your brood the way you do.
.-= cheesefairy´s last blog ..Four Years =-.
Yep. Yep. Double yep.
Very true on all accounts. Now that I’m on #5, I wonder why I ever fussed about having a baby. I think though, it is because THIS baby is extremely easy and well-mannered whereas a couple of my other babies were fussy little buggers. Trying to calm a baby who does not listen to reason is so frustrating. Even more so when the doctor tells you, “There’s nothing wrong with her. Just try to stay calm while she screams 20 hours of the day.” YEAH RIGHT.
but you’re so right. The older kids are a handful but the baby is just a handful of love.
.-= Texan Mama´s last blog ..The Grass Is Always Greener When You Have Weeds Growing =-.
Aaaah, babies. True they can have their own difficulties but not the same as when they turn 2 and beyond. Or how bout teenagers?
Currently I am enjoying my grown children and 2 wonderful grandbabies that are 1 and 2 themselves.
Great post…and so true!
Babies are not supposed to be hard. They’re just unpredictable. And as I parent, that’s what great about them. Parents just have to be prepared and make sure the baby is safe. I love your post, by the way.
Love your statement, “They don’t care WHERE you change their diapers and really..they don’t care what sort of diaper YOU use.”
Now if I could simply teach my daughter that “grandpa does care” where she changes diapers when she changes my grandbabies right on the family room floor. 😉