Parenthood

No matter how many books you read or words of advice you receive parenthood is a just one of those things that you learn as you go. Sure we have more knowledge than people did years ago but there are just some things that books and websites can’t teach you.

Parenting experts can try to teach you all about sleep schedules and adequate tummy time. They can try to teach you about your toddler, your child, your pre-teen, your teenager and on and on and on. Much like life though, parenthood is best learned by doing it.

In the almost six years that I have been a mother I have learned so many things. It amazes me daily that I have these two beautiful, energetic boys who my husband and I made.  In that short time I have learned:

Love is endless.

Patience is not.

Worry comes with the job.

It does not however, fix things.

Children are individuals and no two are alike.

Children will change you forever in the best ways.

You will be tested in ways you never quite thought possible.

No matter what else comes your way in life they will remain your biggest success and your proudest moments.

You will drop everything for them.

You will put them first.

You will sometimes miss who you once were.

You will love your spouse in a way that is so different than you did before they arrived.

You will cry.

You will laugh.

You will doubt yourself.

You will lean on your friends.

You will talk about poop. You will.

You will hurt for them.

You will try to fix things.

You will love them.

They will love you.

Parenting is overwhelming, all encompassing, hard as hell and beautiful. It often requires tears, wine, friends, and more wine but in the end the journey is about love. The rest of the stuff is just that…stuff.  If there is one thing I have learned it's to embrace it. Embrace the mayhem. Embrace the silliness. Embrace the mess. One day the kids who are making the mess, giving you gray hair, making you laugh, cuddling with you and talking non stop will be grown and you will be left trying to write a book about the things you learned along the way.