Being young parents is a subject much talked about between Andy and I. Lots of times it is to belabor the fact that we have NO lives and we are only 27, not to mention we have never had lives since we finished school. Maybe it is our youth that makes us complain about it more, who knows. Probably we need to tell each other to grow up and get over it, but we are both weenies.
On a productive note, I have been reflecting more on my parenting instead of my usual load of guilt. And why the guilt? It is guilt over things my children will not remember, and if they do they won’t care. Nonetheless I still manage to slap it on every day. I feel like I devote a lot of energy to subconscious worrying. As I try to organize my life and accomplish 25 things at once, I have become aware of the need to prioritize. What matters. What doesn’t. A while back I was talking with a friend discussing how we want to live on a daily basis. It made me want to have a core group of things that I do everyday. Why I need to have a list in order to perform simple tasks is beyond me. But really, I want to simplify personally, and extend that to how I raise my kids.
here’s my daily to do.
play with each child - you know, REALLY pay attention and look them in the eye kinda play
make them healthy food to eat
go outside, go outside, go outside!
make a craft/project/fun thing
I know most of you are thinking, “DUH!” Well I guess I am brain dead or something. I have literally been worrying about: addy not being in preschool (thanks seattle-ites who put there kids in preschool at age 2), not getting out enough (probably granted), not taking my kids to fun places, etc. Enough! Parenting is hard enough without having the mind trip. I think i have a pretty strong guilty meter, hence part of my reasoning for redefining what faith should be about.
I realize at the end of the day these are the best years with our kids. They are simple, uncomplicated and carefree. They love with ease and rest in the security of knowing we will always be here. But sometimes, that knowledge does not help soothe your nearly 4 year old having a meltdown over washing her hair in the bath.
{ 3 comments }
Grow up and get over it.
I for one think you and Andy do a fine, fine job. I always talk about how cool you guys are, and how well you two blended being parents and being young. It may not seem that way from the inside, but as an outsider, I applaud your efforts. I think of Addy being a baby and us putting her in my soundproof room, so you guys could hang out; to hell with whomever doesn’t agree. I think that is A+ parenting. I took note, for the day when I have children…if I can find someone to have them with
However, by that time, Addy will be old enough to babysit my kiddos.
i agree with christina. when we think about/talk about being parents, you guys are always among the top people we think of as models of great young parents. i wish we lived near you guys so we could study your parenting (and hang out)!
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