Parenting is Hard Part 2

Parenting is hard.

I am that parent that had to carry a screaming child out of a restaurant.

I am that parent that walked with a stony face on a hiking trail, one kid in a baby carrier, the other one hanging on to my hand and screaming because they were mad at me for refusing to carry them on top of their younger sibling.

I am that parent whose kid ripped their shoes and socks off and ran down the street while I was unloading the other kid and all the stuff from the car.

I am a parent of a kid who climbed on the roof (well, one of those entrance overhang things) while I was helping their sibling get changed after a swim lessons. [I was really surprised no one called the pool management. Or police. Dear Reader, if you see children doing something stupid and unsafe please feel free to yell at them. I feel like if this happened in Russia, the kid would have been yelled at by a grumpy granny. That said, my friends used to climb roofs all the time…]

On the other hand...

I am a parent of a kid who would rather run next to their friend to make them feel better than win a race.

I am a parent of a kid who has an amazing sense of direction and makes sure I don't get lost.

I am a parent of kids who are curious, friendly, and imaginative.

I am a parent of kids who are excited to try new things.

I am a parent who enjoys spending time with the kids.

I am a parent who needs some uninterrupted time to work and do personal things and gets grumpy when kids run in and ask questions every 2 minutes (even when I am in my sacred space – on the toilet!!!).

Parenting is hard (much harder than I anticipated). It is also fun (much more fun than I expected). It is also breathtakingly amazing to see the kids grow. The kids are so beautiful. The kids are so frustrating when they question (my) authority and fight with each other.

Conclusion:

Parenting is hard. I don’t have any answers. Kids are amazing. No one has any answers. We are all doing our best. It may or may not be enough.