Many a meme has been made about the less than glamorous side of parenting. And the reason that they’re so funny is because they’re relatable.
After all, who hasn’t experienced {1} a child say out loud something painfully embarrassing (but let’s face it, hilarious, AND true) in public… or {2} a toddler making his/her way into the bathroom and staring at you while you wee… or, better still, {3} a baby produce the most fantastically yellow, runny poo – you know, the one that makes its way all the way up to the back of their necks, and all you can do is throw away the clothes they were wearing? 😛
We’ve all been there. Raising, and caring for a little human does come with a number of challenges. It is, after all, one of the weightiest responsibilities we are ever entrusted with.
This post isn’t about those challenging moments though, when parents don’t know whether to laugh or cry in response to what their offspring has just said/done/pooped. The inspiration to write today actually comes from the other moments.
Those moments when you feel so much anger because of the dishonesty, disloyalty, and disrespect in the world… and then, little arms wrap you in so much love and warmth, and all the ugliness is forgotten.
That moment after a particularly trying and stressfull day, when you look into that innocent, happy, ever hopeful little face, and the sun breaks through the clouds again.
The moment you realise how blessed you are to be able to call yourself a parent, and to have this pure, beautiful soul in your life who loves you unconditionally.
It’s been a rather difficult few weeks on our side, on the business/work front. Shawn recently had an experience so unbelievable with an employee (now ex-employee), we’re still reeling from what the guy did. And apart from that, it’s been a tough while overall.
Long story short, for the past two weeks, I’ve been helping Shawn out at the office. An 8 to 5, with a little one by my side. I know it can’t be nice being out of her own space all day, in this less than fun environment, but she’s been so good – zero complaints, many big smiles.
On Monday afternoon, I suddenly found myself feeling so overwhelmed. I was sad that my little one comes to work with me, instead of enjoying the school holidays… worrying about my husband, and how stressed he’s been, praying that it won’t affect him physically somehow… angry at how despicable some human beings are capable of being…
And all it took was something as silly as a lock and key not cooperating with me as I tried to close up that day, to almost have me explode right there. As I fought with that lock, everything I’d been feeling and worrying about surfaced, and the tears welled up so quickly… And at that very moment, Zee’s little hand touched my arm. “Mommy can I try to do it? You’re so tired, and now you’re hurting your hand.”
I froze. I’d been facing the other direction and she couldn’t see my eyes, but my child had picked up on the defeat I felt then, and I hated that I’d allowed her to see that. I blinked those tears away so quickly, smiled at her, and took a second to appreciate my child for the incredibly caring and considerate person she is. Then I showed that lock who’s boss, and we went home.
I couldn’t stop thinking as I drove, and after we got home. As parents, we do the heavy lifting – the cooking, fighting with them to eat their food, changing diapers, homeschooling or helping with homework after school… the list goes on, but our kids do their share too, and it’s so important to remember to appreciate that, and not let it get lost in the madness that is this world and the hectic lives we live today.
I thought about all the times Shawn had horrific days at work, and how quickly his mood was lifted by Zee just being Zee. Sometimes, watching our little ones play, or make silly faces, listening to them laugh, or squeal with delight can be the best therapy ever!
Life sucks so bad sometimes. And sometimes there’s not a lot you can do about it. You feel like you’re getting everything wrong. When your little person is so good, and kind, and caring though… when they come and give you a special hug, because they sense something has you down… You know that maybe you actually got something right after all.
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Ah that’s perfect and so true. Sometimes things feel so utterly awful and like everything is getting the better of you then you see your little ones or they do something that makes you so proud and then, like you say, you realise you’re doing something right and it isn’t all bad. Thanks for sharing at #familyfun
This is just lovely! You’re so right, sometimes it’s easy to forget how much seeing a flash of kindness in your child can just make a bad day feel a bit better!! #PostsFromTheHeart
Thank you Kelly! ❤
I’m so sorry you’ve been stressed and feeling defeated lately. That being said, your appreciation of Zee’s showing her love for you brought a smile onto my face. #PostsFromTheHeart
Thanks so much Astrid! And I’m so happy you enjoyed that. x
#postsfromtheheart love this, i think these are moments when you realise you didn’t make a baby / child but your working together and you have a family. Truly blessed and it sounds like, despite the hard few weeks you are creating a wonderful and caring little poppet of joy! As for the despicable human – let it go, Karma will deal with this for you.
p.s. love the name of your blog 🙂
Thank you so much! And I love how you described my little one, it sums her up nicely – a wonderful and caring little poppet of joy! ❤
Sorry to hear you’ve been having a tough time recently – life certainly is a rollercoaster and you never know what is around the corner, but you’re so right – a hug or smile or something funny said from those little people, can break that dark mood in an instant. We just have to appreciate what we’ve got and be strong for our kids. #globalblogging
This is true! xx
Sorry to hear about your bad experience. But you are right, our kids are the light that light up our lives. They are amazing and teaches us so much. You are definitely doing something right. Good luck with your challenges. #globalblogging
Thank you so much Jeanette! And it’s true, we learn so much through our kids. 🙂 x
Oh wow your daughter sounds like an absolute angel <3 Sorry to hear you've been having a tough time. Don't beat yourself up about taking your daughter to work. Kids often quite enjoy seeing the place that mum and dad spend every day. I hope your week improves! Thanks for linking up to #GlobalBlogging
She truly is just that… she’s a child after all, and has her moments where she has me pulling my hair out LOL, but 98% of the time, she’s so darling, I can barely believe how blessed we are with her! Thank you so much for the kind comment, it’s truly appreciated. x
Love this. Life can get so so SOOOOOO harried. Kids can be a real mirror during those times can’t they? Thanks for linking up to #globalblogging.com
It really, really can! Amazing how they shine at those times… we must be thankful. x
I think I would have let her try too. She sounds like a lovely little girl. #globalblogging
What a truly beautiful post. Your little girl sounds like a superstar. You are so right, our children have the power to make such a difference in our lives if we let them. Thank you so much for sharing such a truly lovely post with us at #PostsFromTheHeart
Thank you so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. ❤ x
Ahhh what a lovely post and such an intuitive little girl. Kids do pick up on our feelings don’t they even when we don’t think they will. I noticed this is an older post so I hope life is treating you more kindly. #postsfromtheheart
They are amazing little people! ❤
And thank you so much… life has definitely been much kinder to me, after that rough patch. x
It’s funny how kids can make you forget absolutely everything in an instant #postsfromtheheart
Such a lovely post! Warmed my heart #postsfromtheheart
Thank you! x
This is so beautiful, it’s wonderful how our children can lift our mood. Just one smile from my little girl on a tough day melts me and makes me reassess everything. #PostsFromTheHeart
It really is wonderful, I’m so grateful ❤
Kids really do offer the best perspective and even on the toughest days they kinda remind us ther eis more to life and it will be ok!
Hope this week is better
#HappyNewMum
What a beautiful post. I think we all have times like this, and it’s so easy to let it get you down. Zee sounds like a wonderful child, and lucky to have a mama who cares so deply. Thanks for linking up to #HappyNewMum
Thank you so much! ?
Oh, this happens so often! So good of you to remind us all, that good and bad, thick and thin, we are doing alright! So eloquently put too! And your daughter — too cute! <3 #happynewmum xoxo
And back with more blogger love at #familyfunlinky xox