As I watch our 4 little miracles swim today on a fun Monday off from school the words I survived come to mind. The challenge of getting pregnant for my husband and I was huge. It involved lots of rounds of fertility medications and several rounds of in vitro fertilization. So when the kids were born we were absolutely thrilled but there was also a very high level of uncertainty that came along with their birth.
Am I going to be a good mom?
Am I going to be able to teach them all the things that they need to know and learn in their life.
As I watch them giggle, swim, and play together I realize we did a pretty good job.
We got through the middle of the night feedings, potty training, riding a bike without training wheels and thousands of other amazing milestones that we will cherish forever.
With all the milestones as a parent along comes many many challenges that a lot of people don’t talk about. What I love about the challenges is it offers growth for me personally, as a mother and growth for my kids.
There are so many life lessons I cannot teach them, they have to learn on their own and I just have to be there to love them and support them no matter what happens.
The “I survive” idea comes into play when you realize that they are happy, educated and fun little people that soon, honestly before we know it, will leave our house and venture out into the world. We will not be their guiding force anymore but their sidekick.
I survived the late nights, I survived babies pooping up their backs. I survived their first illness, their first major injury even though I was scared out of my mind, and their first surgery. But did I enjoy the ride? I can honestly say, yes I did. I am enjoying every stage with our kids.
As they continue to get older I get filled with more and more excitement as they experience different milestones and learn more life lessons. We have worked so hard to protect them, keep them safe and teach them all they need to know that now we get to see how well they learned some of those life lessons.
Parenting is a blessing, it is challenging and amazing all at the same time. I just hope you are cherishing the experience as much as we are.