What Nobody Told Me

I often hear parents of newborns say, “It’ll be easier in a few months when they’re on a better sleeping and feeding schedule.” That never happens.

They often say, “It’ll be easier when they’re toddlers and can do more.” Yes, they can do a lot more, leaving you chasing them everywhere and tired for several years.

Then they say, “Oh, I can’t wait until they start school so I can take a break.” And then your baby goes to get out of the car on that 3^rd day and starts to cry, not wanting to go and have to leave you, yet again, for what feels like an eternity. You’ll cry, too.

Then it’s, “It’ll be so much easier when they can drive themselves to school and ball practice.” And then you worry yourself sick every time they get behind the wheel or ride with a friend.

During those tough teenage years, they say, “I can’t wait for them to grow up and start living their own lives.” Then, they do.

That’s the part no one warned me about! Letting go, for me, has 100% been the hardest part of being a parent. 

So, parents of small children…

Enjoy those dirty diapers, colicky nights, and tired days chasing a toddler after a night of no sleep. Appreciate the days when all they want is you… while you use the bathroom, take a shower, or try to sleep in peace. Relish in the moments when they climb into your lap or reach up to hold your hand when you’re busy or have your hands full.

Soon—way too soon—they grow up. 

We all know this happens and look forward to the day when our hard work and love have paid off. Even so, I never thought about the moment I’d actually have to let go and let them.

It’s like when they first start to walk and you keep a tight grip on their hands, just in case they fall, you’ll be able to catch them. Then it goes to one hand. Then they just hold onto a finger for balance. Once they get the hang of it, we have them let go so they’ll realize they can walk on their own. They’ll fall every now and again, but we help them up and send them on their way. All we can do is hope they watch where they're going and get back up when they fall.

Or the first time they want to go swimming. It’s so much easier to simply tell them no and not let them get in the pool than try to save them when they start to sink, but that’s part of growing up. They’ll never learn how to swim if they never get in.

And they’ll never learn to walk on their own if we don’t let go so they can.

(That’s what I keep telling myself, at least.)

Yes, I probably subconsciously wrote this post mainly for myself. Whatever works.
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Here's to letting go!