So, what exactly do I mean when I use the phrase, “Parenting Through the Long Haul?” Isn’t that what all moms do? Is there any other way to do it?
I have met and worked with many moms in different phases of their childbearing journey. Some nursed, some chose to bottle feed, some used cloth diapers, most used disposable, some opted for home births while others wanted a hospital birth. There are so many choices to make along the way and feeling comfortable with the decisions made is critical to your peace of mind as you walk out the decisions you’ve made.
So why am I writing about this?
Because we can be so hard on ourselves in the midst of walking out our decisions whether we second guess ourselves, question our motivations, lose heart in the midst of obstacles, or whatever the case may be. Now, please, don’t misunderstand me. There’s nothing wrong with reassessing things as situations unfold to clarify the reasons we made our choices. And there is something to be said about reevaluating situations along the way to be sure we’re headed in the right direction.
But what I am questioning is the plaguing self-doubt, fears, misgivings, apprehensions, and vacillating we bombard ourselves with in the midst of less than ideal circumstances. I want us to be confident in ourselves as stressful situations arise during our parenting journey knowing that we made fully informed and well thought out decisions in order to do the best we can for our children. I want us to walk confidently through the bumps in the road whether it be during our nursing journey or in the midst of our cloth diapering season, or in the throes of those sleepless nights of every half-hour nursing sessions as compared to the decision to vaccinate or not vaccinate, whether working patiently through a child training issue, or maintaining our commitment to using/not using a pacifier.
There are so many situations that will come along the pike that can cause us to lose our footing if we berate ourselves every time a not so ideal scenario arises that causes us to question ourselves. Take courage in the midst of those situations knowing that parenthood is not for the faint of heart and that, if we’ve armed ourselves with all the information we could muster, given much thought to the choices we’ve made, and given due consideration to our possible options, then our decisions were made with the best of intentions and are to be valued as the best they could have been.
Are you getting my drift?
I guess I’m just trying to say we need to ease up a bit on ourselves and not be too hard on ourselves when trying circumstances arise. Take heart along the way as your parenting journey unfolds and enjoy the ride. Hang in there knowing you’ve done your best and given your best. Be well.
