Let's get real. Parenting sucks.
This statement may not bode well with everyone. After all, we like to tell people just how much of a blessing our children are to us. We like to say that we would never take back the happiness that we have received from having children and becoming a parent. We tell others that there is no greater gift than the gift of parenting. And, while all of these things are true, parenting still sucks.
People will tell you that different situations will prepare you for becoming a parent (like having pets or the loss of sleep in your last trimester), but they're wrong. Nothing - absolutely nothing - prepares you for having children. These tiny little beings who you love beyond belief will test every aspect of your humanity. They will show you new limits of frustrations. They will teach you that your patience can fully run out. They will have you screaming and begging, at times, for it all to just stop.
In my relatively few years of parenting, I have been pooped, peed, thrown up and bled on. I have been screamed at, kicked, hit, and bitten. I have had to count to 10, 5 and 3 - both forwards and backwards - millions of times. I have attempted - and failed - at numerous discipline techniques guaranteed to work by professionals and other moms who swear by these methods. I have cleaned messes off floors, walls, ceilings, carpet, leather, hard wood, plastic, toilets, pets, brothers and sisters, and myself. I have locked myself in the bathroom or closet simply to have a bit of quiet time to myself - but the kids have still found me.
I have been called out in public - and private - by strangers, friends and family members for parenting methods that they have deemed to be unsatisfactory. I have been told that my role as head caretaker of my family isn't important by society. When I was a working mother, I was asked why I would do that to my child. When I was a stay-at-home-mom, I was asked to explain what I did all day long.
I've had to rearrange or cancel plans because I couldn't find a babysitter or the children got sick. I've walked out of restaurants and stores because my children became unruly. I've carried a napping child through the grocery store because I just cannot go one more day without bread, milk, eggs, chocolate or wine. I've carried that same child, kicking and screaming, out of the grocery store because I wouldn't by him/her a treat.
Through all of these encounters, I continue to love my children and recognize that they truly do add blessings to my life. My children fill my life with numerous joyful experiences. The times when they run to me because they want to show me something they've learned or give me hugs and kisses are such a treasure. I'll never regret having my children.
But, parenting still sucks.
This statement may not bode well with everyone. After all, we like to tell people just how much of a blessing our children are to us. We like to say that we would never take back the happiness that we have received from having children and becoming a parent. We tell others that there is no greater gift than the gift of parenting. And, while all of these things are true, parenting still sucks.
People will tell you that different situations will prepare you for becoming a parent (like having pets or the loss of sleep in your last trimester), but they're wrong. Nothing - absolutely nothing - prepares you for having children. These tiny little beings who you love beyond belief will test every aspect of your humanity. They will show you new limits of frustrations. They will teach you that your patience can fully run out. They will have you screaming and begging, at times, for it all to just stop.
In my relatively few years of parenting, I have been pooped, peed, thrown up and bled on. I have been screamed at, kicked, hit, and bitten. I have had to count to 10, 5 and 3 - both forwards and backwards - millions of times. I have attempted - and failed - at numerous discipline techniques guaranteed to work by professionals and other moms who swear by these methods. I have cleaned messes off floors, walls, ceilings, carpet, leather, hard wood, plastic, toilets, pets, brothers and sisters, and myself. I have locked myself in the bathroom or closet simply to have a bit of quiet time to myself - but the kids have still found me.
I have been called out in public - and private - by strangers, friends and family members for parenting methods that they have deemed to be unsatisfactory. I have been told that my role as head caretaker of my family isn't important by society. When I was a working mother, I was asked why I would do that to my child. When I was a stay-at-home-mom, I was asked to explain what I did all day long.
I've had to rearrange or cancel plans because I couldn't find a babysitter or the children got sick. I've walked out of restaurants and stores because my children became unruly. I've carried a napping child through the grocery store because I just cannot go one more day without bread, milk, eggs, chocolate or wine. I've carried that same child, kicking and screaming, out of the grocery store because I wouldn't by him/her a treat.
Through all of these encounters, I continue to love my children and recognize that they truly do add blessings to my life. My children fill my life with numerous joyful experiences. The times when they run to me because they want to show me something they've learned or give me hugs and kisses are such a treasure. I'll never regret having my children.
But, parenting still sucks.
 |
| Just another day of parenting - #mamalaws |
Comments
Post a Comment