My first parenting thought was, “They’re legit going to let me leave the hospital with this baby?”
Since then, I’ve thought “this kid is the coolest,” “if I could give this kid back, I would,” “my child is a beautiful ray of sunshine,” and “this child is a monster.”
Here are a few statements of what parenting is to me.
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Parenting is asking your child for the 25th time to stop sniffing your knees.
Parenting is finding your glasses in a pair of shoes you haven’t worn for three weeks.
Parenting is buying a stuffed animal under the pretense of it being for your child.
Parenting is begging for it to be bedtime only to spend an hour looking at pictures of your child after they’re asleep.
Parenting is looking in the eyes of the other adults your child terrorized for a period thinking, “if they only knew.”
Parenting is making a “no toy zone” only to break your rule five seconds later because you’ll do anything for them to give you a second of peace.
Parenting is annoying your coworkers everyday with new pictures of your child.
Parenting is asking your child why their hands are fighting each other.
Parenting is doing something funny one time and regretting it the remaining 56 times your child asks for you to repeat it.
Parenting is saying “wow, that’s so cool” to all the things that are, in fact, not cool.
Parenting is being shocked at the audacity of your child outsmarting you.
Parenting is sitting on the floor of the bathroom doing homework, trying to dodge water hitting your laptop while your child takes a bath, because you decided to go back to school.
Parenting is getting two cats for your child with the hopes they’ll stop asking for a dog.
Parenting is having a box of sticks in your house because your child said they wanted a home and “our home is nice.”
Parenting is spending the extra money on a second toy sword because “you need one too, mommy.”
Parenting is wondering if your child is going to hate you one day because you have a sibling who doesn’t talk to your parent and that is scary.
Parenting is spending much of your life snatching up your child before they run into the street or walk off in a store.
Parenting is smiling awkwardly at all the people your child called “daddy” because your child has mostly only seen pictures of his real dad.
Parenting is twirling around the room to make your child smile after he calls you a princess because you’re wearing a dress.
Parenting is purposefully breaking the rules to games like “red light, green light” so you seem silly, and your child will laugh.
Parenting is throwing a big first birthday only for a global pandemic to make you realize you prefer spending the day with your kid doing fun activities.
Parenting is hearing phrases you say to your child perfectly used back at you in a snarky way.
Parenting is having your child put their hands on your face and saying “it’ll be okay, mommy” when they see you crying.
Parenting is being grateful for the parent who says “it’s ok, they’re just kids” when your child pushes theirs.
Parenting is doing whatever random ritual your child needs in their bedtime routine to make sure they go to sleep without issue.
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Figured I would add a bit of Mental Health Monday content to this blog. Parenting is hard. Keep doing your best even if you’re winging it every day.
Make sure you’re taking care of your mental health so you can help your little one turn into a healthy adult. They didn’t ask to be here and you’re all they have most days.
You got this! You’re doing a great job! Your child is likely your biggest fan but it sure wouldn’t hurt if you were also a fan of yourself.
I love all you precious humans and your little monsters!
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We are struggling with so much every day. I am here to be an advocate for mental health and helping others. If you’re struggling with an internal battle, just know, I am here with you! My website/blog and social media page are safe places! Share your dreams and your struggles. Life isn’t easy but you’re doing great!
Ariel Pierce 