I Break the Rules: A Letter to My Spirited Child

Dear Sweet Little One,

You, my feisty and determined darling, are now two years old. You don’t just bend the rules; you create your own! But here’s a fun little secret—I had my own ideas about how I’d parent before you arrived. Spoiler alert: most of those ideas have been tossed aside or reshaped.

I’ll breastfeed for a year (Oops, I broke this one).

You wanted to nurse constantly, but my body just couldn’t keep up. Pumping was a struggle, and honestly, I didn’t love the feeling of walking around with my breast exposed. After two exhausting weeks of nursing, we switched to formula, and let me tell you, everyone was much happier when your little tummy was full!

I’ll sleep when the baby sleeps (I bent this one).

Laundry, dishes, meals, and all the little tasks piled up while you snoozed. But sometimes, I’d steal a moment to cuddle you close, feeling our heartbeats sync as we drifted off together. Those moments? Priceless.

I won’t let my kids watch TV (I bent this rule).

Some days just call for a little couch time with Mickey Mouse. Whether we’re stuck in the doctor’s office or you need a break after a busy day, sometimes both of us need a little downtime.

I won’t be the anxious first-time parent with a million questions (Oh, I broke this one hard).

I once fretted about your crooked pinky toe—seriously!

I won’t let my child’s schedule control my life (Broken).

Oh boy, did I learn quickly what happens when nap times get missed! The chaos that ensues is lesson enough.

My kids will eat healthy, balanced meals (I wish I could say I bent this, but I broke it).

Hot dogs for dinner three nights in a row? Yup. And the only veggies you like are the sugary pouches that come in bright colors. But you did lick a broccoli piece last night, so there’s hope!

I’ll make time for my friends (I bent this one).

After you came along, I transformed into a pajama-loving homebody! But every now and then, a night out with friends to recharge is just what I need.

I’ll reclaim my body and hit the gym daily (Oh, broken).

My body has changed in ways I never expected. And let’s be real, I had cookies for breakfast today!

I won’t talk about poop (Broken before you even arrived).

It’s just part of the territory, isn’t it?

I won’t be the mom who counts down to “wine time” (Daily struggle).

No need to go into detail here.

I won’t fall into the yoga pants cliché (I bent this one).

I tried to resist, but yoga pants became my daily uniform. Every now and then, I’ll dress up, and it feels good to feel like myself again.

My kids will learn to fall asleep on their own (Broken).

I didn’t realize how special it would feel to rock you to sleep in my arms.

So, my dear, as you can see, I’ve broken and bent many parenting rules along the way. And as you grow, you’ll learn that some rules are meant to be flexible. But there’s one rule I’ll never break: I will love you with every ounce of my being, now and always.

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Summary:

This heartfelt letter reflects on the author’s journey of parenting and the many rules she thought she would stick to but ended up bending or breaking. From breastfeeding struggles to the realities of toddler meals and the challenge of maintaining a social life, the author shares her authentic experiences with humor and love. Ultimately, the most important rule remains unchanged: a boundless love for her child.