Right now, it might be hard to fathom, but I’ll share a truth with you. The one that kept me (more or less) sane during the roller coaster ride that is parenting: The highs and lows will suck air from your soul. This is not a drill. Despite the resplendent, breathtakingly shiny moments – those that are gloriously joyful – you can’t linger there because the valley is waiting, too.
The valley is where you’ll question everything – especially yourself. In those moments you might fret that you’re incapable, ill-suited, or too impatient for the rigors of parenting. I don’t care how old your children are – whether newbies in onesies, toddlers, or teens – they will rock you with the unexpected as they morph and grow. Developmentally pre-destined, this push-pull of parenting.
When your babies return after the miracle miles of maturity, you’ll see them, still, as your squishy newborns, but they’ll be disguised in grown up packaging. Even as full-fledged adults, their needs for attachment are still there – but in new wrappers.
Parenting is maddeningly unscripted, unpredictable (and, I found, in constant conflict with my plan-ahead personality) but you move through it, relishing the sunny days and smooth roads when they arrive. They come and you remember: I am nothing if not resilient.
Take care of yourself, my parenting compadre. One day you might look up and see a little being who once ate crayons (“Just to try them, mom”) as a near-peer, standing before you. Still needing you, same as ever, just taller, and less sticky.
Vicki ❤
Victoria Ponders 
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