There are part of being a parent that no one really tells you about. Being a parent, well it’s amazing it comes with all the little moments that make you smile and proud, so proud you want/need to share it with every one.
But along with all those happy content moments, there are times when parenting isn’t that great or can leave you completely dumbfounded.
I’m sure that people must have mentioned this like “Oh the terrible twos will be come soon.” Or “be prepared for the sleepless nights.” Most people seem to have advice on younger children but what happens when those children the turn in to bigger people?
People, where emotions and other peers come into play. Like when your child is upset and they tell you that so and so has been mean and hurt their feelings. You want to go and let their parents know what’s going on. But instead you just tell them “Listen, these are things you need to learn to deal with. Have you told a teacher/grownup what’s been going on?” “Did you tell your friend how you were feeling?” These are the phrases I often seem to use.
Then you try to give some advice to help them feel better about situations not really knowing if your being saying the right thing and if you are a good parent or not. And when you do ask other mums/dads what they would do in the situation, they reply “Well… it’s a tricky one isn’t it.”
No one seems to have an answer that’s like, “Oh yeah nappy rash, yup you need this cream for that and it will be all cleared up.”
Parenting then takes it up a notch when they hit high school suddenly everything is balancing on the edge of a cliff and you don’t want to be the one to push them off, so you tread carefully trying to gage if the rocks are crumbling underneath. All seems to be fine, this parenting thing isn’t that bad, then out of the blue there’s a full melt down and the rocks are falling fast. The tears are flowing and the low self-esteem is hitting hard.
Where’s the manual for those kid of situations… please tell me there is one somewhere out there??? No?
Instead you have people saying “Oh yeah I remember when I/you was like that.” Inside I’m screaming at myself saying “JUST TELL ME HOW TO FIX IT!”
You look at your child and you just don’t know what to say or what to do. You try to be the best parent but inside your heart is breaking for them, you start to panic, heart racing, if your like me then your start getting all emotional too but trying to hide it and you want to be the strong parent. When really you’re not.
The storm calms and you walk away, those tears still there just sitting on the edge. You try to hold them back it’s hard you feel guilt, like you’re a bad parent, the tears just roll and seem never-ending. You second guess what you have said or done, was it the right thing to say, is the issue sorted.
Why is it is so difficult being a parent.
No one gives you a manual or advice for when babies become small people or teens or older kids.
I’m grateful for my girls and I try to be the best parent that I can but, you know what I am not superwoman or even super nanny. I just hope that I am teaching them to be the best that they can be. There’s no manual for parenting and often it’s just the case of winging it and doing your best.
High 5 (yes I’m so down with the kids) to all the parents out there!
Hope you’re ok Rachel. Parenting a 5 year old girl with mood swings is hard enough, I’m dreading the older years. You always see these films with parents who give out amazing advice and think ‘that will be me’ and then the moment comes and your mind goes blank. All we can do is our best xxx