Trust Me, It Gets Tougher

Parenting

home insemination Kit

Updated: Sep. 6, 2015

Originally Published: Sep. 6, 2015

Having kids close in age comes with many advantages. They always have a playmate, and you never feel like you’re restarting from scratch since you’re already in the thick of it. You become a pro at juggling multiple responsibilities and are prepared for whatever life tosses your way.

You endure sleepless nights continuously, year after year. The dark circles under your eyes become a part of your look, blending seamlessly into your new normal. Chaos is your constant companion, so much so that you hardly recognize the circus you’re running when out in public. If you did notice, you’d probably just roll your eyes at yourself as you navigate yet another hilarious debacle.

I, for one, embrace my chaotic life. The delightful madness is actually the reality I’ve always dreamed of. I wouldn’t trade this for a quieter, more organized existence. And yes, for those wondering if I’ve lost my mind, the answer is yes… quite some time ago!

When you venture out with a crew like mine, people generally have two reactions: they either fall in love with your entertaining little ones, showering you with compliments and laughter, or they turn into the dreaded Negative Nancys, who seem to loathe your entire entourage.

You’d think other parents would be sympathetic, right? They’re battling the same challenges, dealing with the same frenetic energy. But alas, the naysayers are lurking everywhere—at the grocery store, church, parks, and even during family visits. They seem to pop up just when you least need a dose of their “wisdom.”

Picture this: you’re pushing a cart with a tantruming baby. You know you should probably leave, but those groceries aren’t going to get themselves. As you power through, someone leans over and says, “Oh, just wait. It gets worse.”

Or how about when your toddler decides to express himself a little too loudly in church? You whisk him away to the cry room, trying every trick in the book to calm him down, when an older lady whispers, “Don’t worry, dear. Mine went through that phase too. Just wait until he grows out of it; you’ll have a whole new set of challenges!”

And then there’s the park, where the kids are having a blast until one takes a tumble. As you comfort the little one, a bystander chimes in, “Just wait—soon you’ll be worrying about them leaving the house or going on dates. Ugh, I wish I could just deal with these little boo-boos again.”

In the mall, the kids are running amok under the clothes racks, and a fellow dad smirks, “You think this is tough? You have no idea how much worse it can get!”

When the kids bicker in the car, a passerby chuckles, sharing that his kids still squabble now that they’re teens.

During holiday gatherings, you proudly introduce your children only for them to freeze up and hide behind you, prompting family friends to comment, “They’ll be grown before you know it. Soon they won’t want to be near you at all!”

As I hear these comments, I often muster a polite smile and a laugh, but inside, I want to shout, “Thanks for the pep talk! Just what I needed!”

Parenting is a rollercoaster ride filled with ups and downs. There will always be new battles to face, but as a mom, it’s my job to worry. Each day brings its own set of challenges, and I know I’ll never stop caring about my kids.

We might face numerous setbacks, but we must not let them defeat us. We are gladiators in this parenting arena!

Remember, a positive mindset can lead to positive outcomes. Be that uplifting spark for another struggling mom; your kind words might just make a world of difference.

For more insights on home insemination and parenting, check out this blog post or visit Make A Mom for expert advice. You can also find valuable resources on pregnancy at Genetics and IVF Institute.

Summary:

Parenting young children is no easy feat, especially when they’re close in age. While there are countless joys to be found in this beautiful chaos, there are also plenty of naysayers ready to offer their unsolicited advice on how it only gets tougher. Embracing the madness, finding solidarity with fellow parents, and maintaining a positive outlook can help navigate the challenges that come with raising kids. A little kindness can go a long way, so let’s uplift each other through this wild ride!