Ever had a case of the parenting blues? Or the blahs? Your fourteen-month-old becomes obsessed with banging pots and pans and your five year-old is determined to memorize all the scientific names of dinosaurs. The days become all at once chaotic and yet monotonous and all you can think is, "This is really not fun. It just isn't anymore."
Take heart. We have all been there. I went through some pretty tough months feeling both disappointing and exhausted with my motherhood. It wasn't until Micaela came along and I realized that baby and toddler years are going to be twice as long with her (perhaps even tripled or quadrupled--she has a lot of developemental delays) that I finally realized something key to parenthood. Parents get to have fun, too. Yes ma'am, and sirs, we get to be part of it. In fact, the moment that you embrace this idea you are going to find that you connect with your kids and make amazing memories with them. It will help them in their learning and growing and socializing. Why? Because when you are happy, energized, and focused, your children are getting the very best YOU. This is so simple. I wish I had figured this out during some of Adela's younger years. *sigh* But, you can only move forward in life. Okay, get a pen and paper and list 10 things that you truly enjoy. These ten things should be things that always put a smile on your face. My ten are reading, doing art, baking, romance, graphs/analyzing, organizing, music, stories, exploring outdoors, and spending time with family. Look at your list. Right now I love doing adult coloring pages. I bet Adela would love it too. She could really work on her fine motor skills as she tried to color in those intricate designs. Later, when it is time for Micaela's physical therapy I will be turning on Pandora to some Contemporary Christian music as we practice going from sit to stand. And, as I do these things, I will be focused and excited and energized because I can bring my own passion into the mix. Our kids need to see this side of us. It is real. It is sincere. It is life. And it is so much better than go through the motions and trudging through those parenting blues. Bring YOU back into parenting and have some fun. They are only little just this once. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, NIV
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