avatarErin King

Summary

The article provides a pep-talk for parents, reminding them that each day is a fresh start, that they are continually improving, and that they should cherish the journey of parenting.

Abstract

The article "Things To Remember When Parenting Gets Hard" serves as a brief motivational guide for parents who are feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of raising children. It acknowledges that parenting can be exhausting and emotionally draining, but emphasizes the importance of resilience and growth. The author encourages parents to view each day as a new opportunity to make better choices and to remember that they are becoming better caregivers with each passing day. The piece also highlights the preciousness of the parent-child relationship, suggesting that parents see their role as a gift and an opportunity to experience joy and growth through their child's eyes. It advises parents to focus on the present, to learn from their mistakes without being defined by them, and to appreciate the fleeting moments of childhood. The article concludes by inviting readers to contribute their own stories and insights to the ILLUMINATION publication on Medium.

Opinions

  • Parenting is acknowledged as a difficult task that can be exhausting and demoralizing, yet it is also presented as a rewarding journey.
  • The author believes that every new day offers a chance to start afresh and make better choices, emphasizing the potential for continuous improvement in parenting.
  • There is an opinion that parenthood is a gift not everyone can experience, and it should be celebrated and enjoyed.
  • The article suggests that parents should not be defined by their failures or see their children as a reflection of those failures; instead, they should view both themselves

Things To Remember When Parenting Gets Hard

A two-minute pep-talk to put things into perspective.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Parenting is hard.

It can be exhausting, demoralizing, and depressing especially when they’re very little.

I’m not saying you don’t love your child, I’m just telling the truth about how hard it can feel. So I’m going to give you some things to remember to get yourself back on track when you need it because the faster you get back on track, the faster life settles back down.

So take a deep breath and remember...

Photo by Julian Hochgesang on Unsplash

Every day is a new start.

Seriously, yesterday is over. Today is all you have.

You can’t change what happened yesterday but, you have a clean slate to make today different so make the most of it.

You’re a better parent than you were yesterday.

You’ve been working at parenting and improving little by little.

Today’s choices will be better informed than yesterday’s. Tomorrow’s will be even better than todays.

Photo by Paige Cody on Unsplash

You’ve been given a gift.

Not everyone can have a child so celebrate this gift and enjoy this little person that I have been given the awesome responsibility of caring for.

You are not defined by your failures and neither is your child.

Parenting is tricky. We make mistakes, we’re fallible.

Don’t allow yourself to be defined by yesterday’s mistakes, but instead, vow to get back up every time you fall down and learn to do better.

Think of your child not as the sum total of your failures but rather as the recipient of the wisdom you’ve gained from them.

You’re on a journey.

The journey is the joy.

You will always be traveling forward on this path, be content with where you are right now.

Revel in the beauty of each precious moment, hard as it is, and try not to wish the time away.

Photo by Gigin Krishnan on Unsplash

Time will pass, your child will grow up. Things will get easier. So hang on and love this time you have.

Love the snuggles, the kisses, the unabated joy that your child brings into your life. See the world through their eyes. You will miss them one day.

Stay plugged in, stay present, stay grounded, stay real.

If you’d like to read more articles that uplift and enlighten, join us here on ILLUMINATION. Here are some more excellent writers to check out: George J. Ziogas, Madoc Maduka, Jessica Cote, Charles Roast, Chris Hedges, Roxanna Azimy, Bill Abbate. Why not write for us? Bring your talent, courage, and insight, share your story and let’s do something great!

If you’d like to read some more stories by me, feel free to check these out:

Parenting
Parenting Advice
Inspiration
Mindfulness
Self Love
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