Yesterday I picked up 3 pairs of shoes, 2 books, and a gazillion pokemon cards.
Today I lost it and threatened to throw away all the Lego.
But one day all the toys will be packed away.
Yesterday one child refused to eat anything for dinner.
Today three kids moaned and complained about the meal I cooked.
But one day there will be no kids to cook for.
Yesterday I drove back and forth to school 6 times!
Today I drove three kids to dancing and one to swimming.
But one day they won’t need me to drive them anywhere.
Yesterday I listened to piano practice, guitar practice, and an impromptu cardboard box drum solo.
Today Wii Dance competed with a loud minecraft argument and all I wanted was a minute or two of peace
But one day my house will be silent.
Yesterday I washed and hung out three loads of laundry.
Today I am ‘so unfair’ for making everyone fold and put away their clean clothes.
But one day the clothesline will be empty.
Yesterday I confiscated the magnifying glass after finding the boys trying to set fire to a dead moth in the family room.
Today I uttered the words ‘because I said so’.
But one day there will be no more limits to set, and no more explaining to do.
Yesterday I was woken by a sleepwalking child at 3am.
Today I soothed a stressed out teen until she could sleep
But one day the only bedtime I will need to think about is my own.
Yesterday was a crappy day.
Today wasn’t much better.
But one day I will sit here and wonder at how I survived it all, how the kids turned out ok, and how our house did not get burned to the ground.
Until then, I’ll keep doing what I do.
I’ll keep making dinner that no one eats, I’ll keep driving everyone everywhere, and I’ll keep explaining why setting things on fire in the house is not a good idea.
I don’t love every moment of parenting, but I know that all those hard moments, those crappy days, they will pass, and somehow that makes them precious, and helps me get through.
This sums up my stage of parenting – ages 12, 9 and 3 – perfectly. It’s hard, bittersweet, and beautiful all at once, every day. Thanks for letting me know I am not the only one caught between insanity and gratitude every day.
As a grandparent, I admire your outlook!!! Very powerful, good on you!!
Love it. Thanks for the reminder!
This. All. of. this. But what I love most is that you acknowledge it’s not all perfect but just because you recognize that, doesn’t mean you don’t realize you’ll miss it all one day.
beautifully written