I recently posted on my Twitter page about how amazed I am with parents. It doesn’t matter if you work full time, are a stay-at-home parent, or what your situation is – anyone who takes on such a colossal role of mom or dad is my hero. You do realize you are responsible for the character, safety, mental development, education and wellness of another human being, right?
No pressure.
I’ve been in a groove lately. Between stepping up my workout routine, eating clean (no processed food = tons of prep and cooking), work, and maintaining some form of social life, I’ve been running on all cylinders. If homework, carpooling and extra loads of laundry were added in the mix, I’d be burnt toast.
If I could host a Mommy Day Getaway every year, I would. But anyone with kids knows how hard it is to squeeze in spare chill time, let alone a night out with their girlfriends (or bro-friends). So instead, I offer up complimentary Auntie Kiki services anytime they need me; hearing little feet running on the other side of the door, as they shout “Auntie Kiki’s here!” is pure heaven.
One of my best girlfriends is raising two boys – one of them is autistic. In addition to her mom role, she works full time, and is trying to launch a real estate career. Her husband is a great help – and she has family close by, but I still feel for her everyday struggles to keep it all balanced. She recently learned her little boy is gifted, which, as amazing as this sounds, creates a whole new set of [social] challenges.
Having a gifted child, when you really think about it, really is a rare and special gift. And I know my friend is his mom for a reason. She’s one of my heroes.
There’s no such thing as a perfect parent (or child). But the ones who get it right, deserve a medal – or at least a free spa day.
Here’s the part where you tell me – how do you parents do it?
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The quickest way for a parent to get a child’s attention is to sit down and look comfortable. ~ Lane Olinghous
Christine Macdonald 
How do you parents do it? 😉
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I'm not a parent, that's why I'm asking! 🙂
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I too am continually in awe of parents – particularly because it seems like there are SO many more activities now than when we were kids. I don't know how they do it. I think maybe No Sleep is the key. I love your "Auntie Kiki" story. Elizabeth Gilbert talks about the "Auntie Brigade" in her book "Committed," and it totally resonated with me. Mr. W and I have 6 nieces between the two of us and love filling the role of close-but-non-parents. 🙂
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Thanks Mel! WOW – what great fun you and Mr. W must have! I love being and Aunt…
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You really don't know how you are doing it. I try to think about when I was a kid and the good and the bad things that happened to me and try to eliminate the bad stuff. You are more of a hand on a tiller guiding a boat through treacherous waters. The problem is it takes years for all the results to be in. This letter from my daughter last year shows I might have done okay.http://rjacobpost.blogspot.com/2011/06/fathers-day-letter-repost.htmlI hope you have the time to read it.
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Apparently I didn't know you were not a parent. I am not a parent either.
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That is so nice that you, a childless woman, can see and appreciate having kids. It is crazy hard sometimes and I often know that I'm doing it all wrong. It is one thing to make choices that screw up your own life…Then, when you so badly want to do it better, you find things coming out of your mouth – that you can't take back – and you know you have fallen into old patterns from your childhood…and you just want to cry. I ask for my children's forgiveness often!
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@RL – Thanks – Im going to read it now.@Dalai – Seriously. As much as I can get it, having no kids, I really get it. I can't imagine the weight you carry on your shoulders. My mom-friends are all Superheroes and the world needs to appreciate your more!
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