This post was sponsored by WaterWipes as part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.
I have a secret for enjoying all stages of the trenches of parenthood. It’s pretty simple actually. Whether you’re a new parent, a seasoned one, an animal mommy, or someone who is anxiously trying to conceive, this advice will help you enjoy the ride.
You’re probably asking yourself, “why is this mom qualified to give advice like this?” Well, my husband and I are in the trenches of parenthood right now. In fact, we’ve been there for 3 and a half years.
When I first started this motherhood journey, I thought the trenches would be quick. I never thought I’d still be knee deep in the trenches of parenthood for years. I honestly thought they would come and go.
Here’s the cold, hard, truth that a dear friend taught me early on in my motherhood journey:
Parenthood doesn’t get easier. It gets harder every step of the way.
What she didn’t tell me is that it’s always going to be okay because as parents we innately know how to handle it. Even when we don’t think we do. Have you ever been there? In a parenting situation you didn’t know how to handle, but when you really thought about it, you knew to trust your gut?
So, what’s my secret to enjoying the trenches of parenthood every step of the way?
It’s to realize that even though today may be tough, the future could be even worse, so much so that I need to enjoy the present, especially moments like the picture below. Beach visits aren’t exactly relaxing these days, but nothing beats brother kisses on the beach!
I realize I’m sounding a bit negative. Oddly enough, I’m a super positive person. I just like to appreciate good things when I have them, and sometimes that means thinking of something negative too.
Here are a couple examples of what I mean:
When I get tired of changing diapers for my 18 month old, I think about how hard potty training might be, so I thank God right then and there for the simplicity that comes with diaper changes.
Or…
…when I get really frustrated with my 3 year old asking “why?” all day long, I count my blessings that he isn’t a middle schooler who is talking back to me.
Sure, this may be a crazy way to get through the trenches, but it works. Trust me. It’s worked so well that I now romanticize the first year home with each of my boys. Just last night I was up 4 times between the two of them (one sick, and one nighttime potty training) and I even thought to myself, “it was never this hard when they were tiny and breastfeeding.”
(sarcastic tone). Right. It was never hard when they were tiny. (end sarcastic tone).
Seriously though, just as soon as you leave one stage of parenthood, you look back and think fondly of those “easier days”. Here’s the truth: none of it is easy, but as parents we need to be grateful that we are well equipped to deal with stage that is currently presented to us. The greatest thing about parenthood is that our experiences make us unique experts in our own children.
Even so, I still look back fondly on those “easier days”, even though my logic tells me that the first year wasn’t as easy as I’m remembering.
Here are the things I’m currently missing about the first year home with my boys:
- Non-stop nursing sessions: If you had asked me at the time, I would have told you that I hated sitting around all day nursing. Really. I hated it. I wanted freedom. Now I have this so called “freedom” and do you know what I do with it? I still take care of the kids. Taking care of my kids while vegging on the couch and binge-watching Netflix sounds really, really, nice to me right now.
- The new love I had for my boys: Don’t get me wrong, I still love them constantly. I even love them more. But during the first year, they were so innocent that I couldn’t help but love them so purely.
- Being bored: At the time I hated waking up with nothing to do other than “keep the kids alive”, but now I miss it. The kids are busy now. They take music class, one goes to preschool, we do a mom’s morning out once a week. These are all things we enjoy, but I really do miss the days of being bored.
I miss a lot about the first year home with each of my boys, but the thing I miss the most is chubby baby cheeks. How cute are these boys?
Here is Jackson-
And here is Robert-
I could gobble them up right now!
Nope, I’m not using this post to say I’m having another baby. I’m just romanticizing that first year with a baby. It really is the best!
I’m know I’m not the only mom who has romanticized the first year! As a WaterWipes ambassador, I contributed to this video about the first year. Check it out to see what all the other moms have to say!
My parenting style has changed a lot since my first year as a mom (baths everyday?!), but one thing hasn’t changed: my desire to raise my kids without an overdose of chemicals and unnecessary ingredients in their everyday products. That’s why I’m a huge fan of WaterWipes. WaterWipes is a chemical free baby wipe that contains only two ingredients, 99.9% pure Irish water and 0.1% grapefruit seed extract. I love that they are both durable and effective without containing any of the harmful chemicals that may be found in other baby wipes, WaterWipes proves a safer, natural option for your little one. It’s a product that I will continue to use well after we leave the diaper stage!
What are your favorite moments from the first year with your kids?
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