I can’t believe my big boy was ever this little. :(
If you you think pregnancy is hard, you are right.
If you think having a newborn is hard, you are right.
If you think having a toddler is hard, you couldn’t be more right.
And if you think having a threenager, tweenager, or an actual teenager done with high school and moving on with their life is hard, you are right.
Parenting is hard. All of it. It doesn’t get easier. You still worry about them as much when they toddle off to high school looking for new friends as you did when they were in preschool. The only thing that changes is the shades of grey. They blur together more. Life isn’t as black and white as when we were trying to solve the needs with food, shelter and warmth.
But being a kid is hard too. So guide them gently or firmly if you must. It’s not perfect for any of us. Just because your friends post photos of their family trips, extended family suppers, or perfectly appointed playrooms doesn’t mean it’s easy. You aren’t seeing the behind the scenes.
So take a breath and love them at every stage. And in the meantime, give yourself a little grace.
After all, that’s all any of us really need.