Slow Down

Parenting is hard and there is no “right” way to do it. There is so much information available, often conflicting. Where does one turn? Inside yourself with a support system. You were chosen to be your child’s parent. You know what they need. You are their very first teacher. The delivery method may be something you need help with, but you are the best person for the job.

What is your ultimate goal as a parent? To survive the first few months because you are so exhausted/sleep deprived?  Getting to the first day of kindergarten so they are in school for part of the day? Surviving the complicated teen years? Sending them off to college?

No matter how you answered those questions, there are so many challenges and so much that takes place atevery stage. We get so busy trying to reach these goals, and we often forget to slow down and enjoy the here and now.

The first few months can be so, so hard. You are sleep deprived and your little one really cannot communicate with you. After checking their need for a diaper change, feeding them and trying to lie them down for a nap, inside, you feel like you are just guessing at what they want.

Next, you move into the stage where they are mobile and you can read them better, but now they are getting into EVERYTHING! What happened to the baby who took several naps (for some mamas)? How will you get everything done?

Then they become verbal. AH, now things will get a little easier. Not so fast, half of the time, you cannot clearly understand them, and you both are frustrated. Is this what you signed up for?

You have heard it time and time again that they grow so fast and you will miss it. You are looking forward to taking a shower, eating a hot meal, having adult conversations and having a clean house. The truth is, it most certainly does go by fast. It is so important and difficult to do but sit back and just marvel at the wonderful little humans your children are. How fast they have grown physically. How much they have learned. How they make sense of the world around them. They live, for the most part, without fear. Yes, parents are tired, the house may be a mess, uninterrupted showers are few and far between, but what is the ultimate goal? To raise happy, healthy adults who love their family and enjoy life!

How do you do that? One step at a time, remembering to slow down every now and them to take it all in. It can be less frustrating and more enjoyable if we change our mindset a bit. Keeping in mind the positive side of the challenges.

Late night feedings and exhaustion can turn into sweet moments of looking at your little person and realizing how they have put all of their trust in you and you get to mold them and build their character.

Toddlers getting into everything and making messes is really them exploring their world and learning how it all works together. You get to be their guide.

Preschoolers and sibling rivalry. They have discovered a little independence and that they have choices. You get to help them make the right choices and explain why some are better than others.

School age children learning to read, write and calculate can cause lots of frustration, but you have an opportunity to be amazed at what their brain is capable of. After school activities and busyness can feel like it is aging you, but in reality, it keeps you young! When will you have another opportunity to watch your children develop new skills and interests and pick them up when they fall? The truth is you won’t.

No doubt parenting can be the hardest job we will ever do, but it can also be the most rewarding and fulfilling. Slow down, take a deep breath and enjoy it. The busyness of your children will be missed when it is gone.

I would love to assist you on your parenting journey.

You know the kind of parent you want to be, but sometimes you feel like you are missing the mark. Coaching can help. Coaching is time set aside for you. It is a safe place to dream and set goals for your parenting journey.

Click the link to book a complimentary discovery call to see if parent coaching would be helpful.