Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Hang On and Enjoy the Ride



Guest Post by: Beth C.

Being a parent is the most rewarding yet most challenging thing in life.  There isn't a book that tells you how to raise children, so you have to live and learn, hoping that by the time they are 18 they can make wise decisions on their own.  My husband and I have three children, twin 1 year olds and a 2 ½  year old.  Needless to say, with two full time working parents and three kids under the age of three, we stay very busy! 

I would have to say that my biggest struggle is being a working mom.  Balancing family life and work life can be very difficult.  My weekdays start at 5:30AM, which is a struggle in itself, and ends around 10:30PM.  I usually get home from work around 5:00pm and fix dinner, feed kids, bathe kids and put kids to bed by 8:30PM.  I then clean up from dinner and start laundry.  With five people in our house, laundry is a daily task.  Around 9:30PM, I will usually sit down and watch tv with my husband and try to catch up on our day.  I am very blessed with a wonderful husband who helps out around the house and makes time to play with our children.

We are experiencing the terrible two’s right now and potty training.  Let me say that it is just not right for these two things to happen at the same time.  I am still learning what correction methods work with my son and which ones don’t.  I have a very strong willed/stubborn 2 year old, so the disciplines that work for him, probably won’t work with my 1 year old who is laid back and easy going.  I must be doing something right though because when my 2 year old has to sit in timeout, he always comes and gives me a hug when he gets out.  As for potty training, this has been a huge challenge for us.  I think I have tried every bribery tactic there is out there.  I have finally accepted that my child will use the potty when he is ready.  As frustrating as that is to hear from other people, I believe it to be the truth.  However, when my child went to the potty for the first time and had success, it gave me such great joy.  I was so proud of his accomplishment!  Yes, that’s right, I am one proud mommy that my kid went pee pee in the potty!  Take pride in the little things!

I would be lying if I said I wasn't exhausted 90% of the time with this crazy life I live, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I love being a mom.   I love when my son gets mad and crinkles his nose when he says “NO!”  I love that my kids and I have a dance party every night in our kitchen.  I love cuddling with them.  I love singing to my kids.  I love hearing them say “momma/mommy”.  I love that my kids are so close in age.  I often times get told “Bless your heart” or “You have your hands full”, when people hear that my kids are 17 months apart.  I usually respond with “Yes, I am blessed!” 


Having young children so close together can be challenging, but the love and memories I make with my children are totally worth it.  Life with small children is a constant roller coaster, so hang on and enjoy the ride!  

No comments:

Post a Comment