The enormity of being in charge of other human beings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, is definitely something I did not appreciate until having children, which I guess is the way that it is for a lot of parents.
Cue fanciful images of me with a sleeping newborn baby, heavenly bliss! Feeds, sleep, feed, sleep that’s how it goes right? Haha wrong! Babies have a way of teaching you from early on that there’s a lot more to this parenting gig than you first thought.
The realisation that when they are young I am responsible for their nutritional wellbeing, their mental wellbeing, their physical wellbeing…holy crap essentially their every friggin wellbeing…is daunting, I’m pretty sure I’m not qualified for any of that. And then you go and add more than one little person to the mix and it all turns to chaos from there!
Are they eating too much sugar, did they each have five serves of fruit n veg today, are they getting enough fibre?
Are they overloaded with school and study, do they have too much on their minds, are they struggling with peer pressure?
Are they getting enough exercise, is their exercise varied enough, should they be playing a team sport?
Most days I wake up tired, forget who has and hasn’t brushed their teeth, serve some fruit that goes uneaten and then rush them all out the door for school to be overloaded with more homework! I sometimes stress that my girls are eating too much sugar, reading too few books, rushing their assignments and not getting enough sleep. I worry that they’re not playing enough sport then I worry that they’ll get injured when playing said sport. I worry when they are at home, I worry when they are away, and don’t even get me started on the level of worry when they leave the country…oh my!!
Who knew when that first newborn baby girl popped out (who am I kidding she was extracted via forceps!) some 19 years ago that there would be so many questions!! Sometimes the enormity of it all scares the shit out of me…and I’m sure I’m not alone. Here’s hoping that we don’t screw them up too badly!!
Linking up with Kylie from kyliepurtell.com for #IBOT
So go on, please tell me that I’m not alone on this one!
You are not alone and I am glad I am no longer parenting little or big ones but even though they are adults with their own kids…it is still a worrying time being a parent! I think you sound like you are doing the best you can. I had two. That was it for me. Good on you with 5. Denyse
I’m guessing the worry never ends Denyse!
SO not alone!!!! You just have to take a deep breath and do the best you can. None of us are perfect x
So true Kirsty!
You are definitely not alone in this one!
Glad to hear it!
You know what? I think worry about these things is pretty normal, but I really just don’t. Maybe I was too young to think I couldn’t parent well? I’m not sure, but I know I began with the end in mind. I made a plan, very early on, to raise amazing young people who contribute to community, take responsibility and develop resilience. We have had strong routines and high expectations and we have landed our children into adulthood so well.
I think worry is neutralised when you know where you’re heading and how you’re going to get there. It isn’t always easy, because even good kids do very dumb stuff and have a stubborn, iron will. But that plan helps keep everyone on track.
Sounds like a brilliant strategy Tracy.
You are definitely not alone! I’ve gotten much better as the days go on, and I’m really embracing the idea of giving myself a break and knowing that if they are happy and healthy that’s all that matters. There is no point in beating myself up for what I can’t do or my failings.
#teamIBOT
You are definitely not alone. I also feel the same way, even more in my first months of parenting. It was crazy. But now I’m glad I’m able to let go of my son more and more. I’ve also become comfy doing things with my son in tow. I used to be anxious going out with my toddler for fear that he might cry and I can’t handle the situation. Well, parenting I guess takes getting used to. xx
Jacq
jacqwritesworld.com
Parenting sure does take getting used to…and when you think you’ve mastered something a new stage comes along haha!