Comments on: The Friday Question: What has parenting taught you?

By: Jaime

Jaime — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:41:37 +0000

I have learned the true meaning of the word “sacrifice”. I have sacrificed more than I thought possible for my kids and would happily give up everything for them if necessary. It’s the “happily” part that is most surprising of all!

By: Kris

Kris — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:40:15 +0000

My word would be: adapt. Before having kids I was totally laid back, go with the flow, which can be very helpful with kids, but it can also come back to bite you. One of my kids is pretty easy going, but the other is very high stress and likes things just so. I’ve had to step it up and actually plan and establish a general routine and both my kids (and, yes, even I) have been much happier like that. Who knew?

By: Betsy

Betsy — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:35:45 +0000

A lesson I am still learning is to not base my self-esteem or self-perception on what I can get done. Raising kids is a different kind of productivity — lots of repetitive tasks with no end, no paycheck, no tangible product, often in isolation from other adults. I have what I like to call a “completion compulsion.” When I start a project (whether cleaning, cooking, organizing, writing, or something on the computer), I like to finish it! Needless to say, this is often not possible with little ones. My day is often a series of interruption with little opportunity to get “lost” in an activity. Sometimes when the kids are sick and the house is a mess and there is no food I think, “I haven’t gotten a thing done today!” One day I said to my sister, “I feel like the most unproductive person in the world,” and she replied, “No, you’re not! You’re raising kids!” It’s hard to remember that just keeping everyone alive is sometimes an accomplishment.

I am also trying hard to learn to “Be in the moment” and not worry about all the things that need doing.

By: Rose

Rose — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:12:18 +0000

I’ve learned to just slow down. I was a pretty busy person before our sweet baby. I always had everything in order and just right. But since baby I’ve really learned to savor the moments and enjoy our sweet girl, even if it means talking sweetly to her at 2am. Time will pass so quickly and I want to savor every moment that I can.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:11:59 +0000

Two things come to mind:
1. what it feels like to love and be loved unconditionally
2. I don’t have to be the person in control of a situation all of the time. it’s okay to let go.

By: Larisa

Larisa — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:11:56 +0000

Oh, Ali, that is so true! And when your little one gets big enough to spontaneously throw their arms around you and say “hug” that’s even more true.

I’ve learned the mantra “it’s just a phase.” And I’ve learned that this applies to both the good and bad things. The food-throwing is a phase. The lip-pulling is a phase. The fascination with trash cans is a phase. But also the cute baby sleep sighs are a phase, and the desire to brush the teeth of stuffed animals is a phase, and so on. I’ve learned to be more patient with the behaviors that annoy me and to really try to savor the adorable moments.

By: Ali

Ali — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:00:25 +0000

That a smile or belly laugh from your little one makes everything better!