You are doing great!
/I was enjoying a walk with my one and three-year-old daughters, Maxwell and Phoenix, recently. They asked a woman we passed by if they could pet her dog. While thechildren squeaking with delight, the woman said to me, "I have a 10 year old daughter and a 13-year-old daughter, and I just wanted to tell you that it gets harder. A lot harder."
Her comment did not offend me in the moment. I replied to her that I'm sure it will be hard, and that my older child can be quite difficult at three, so I can only imagine what it will be like. But after leaving her presence, the thought struck me, "WILL it be harder? Does she know anything about me or how hard it has, or has not been, for me?" I think a lot of parents get amnesia after the toddler years about the early experiences of parenthood. I have been pregnant, giving birth, nursing, up at all hours of the night, wiping baby butts, feeding endlessly, cleaning messes, physically carrying children...for five years...on very little sleep.
Let's do all of us a favor and not tell any other parents that it only gets harder. Let's be real, parenthood is a CHALLENGE at all ages. It is a marathon. But so is life. You will be triggered and tested, but from those experiences you will grow as a person. You will experience high times of the most pure joy, love, and bliss. And you will also have the lowest of low times when everyone is sick and tired, probably hungry, and fighting. But hard times are only temporary! The most fulfilling things in life push you to your limits at times. I do, however, think it is super important to change the language we use with each other. Let's encourage each other instead of discouraging each other. Many people lack support systems and helpful communities. A few kind words can go a long way!
So, to all parents and also my non-parents, to all those that are caregivers for another living thing, and also those who currently struggling to take care of just themselves:
You are doing a great job! All of your effort and hard work is making a difference on a daily basis! Any attempts you are making at bettering your situation orgrowing yourself personally or professionally will pay off in a few years! Difficult times are part of an ebb and flow and it will always get better again. It is so, so, so worth all of the love and magical moments of connection you will share with others as you go!
Be an encourager when the opportunity presents itself, because we all want to be uplifted. True happiness comes from giving love to others without expecting anything in return, and kind words can be as good a gift as anything. #RealBeautyTip
