Parenting is not for the faint of heart. At times it seems the simplicity of what we are asked to do as parents is disarming. We are only asked for one thing: all we have. It is easy to get caught in the whirlwind of sleep lost to a child’s nightmares, money lost to a child’s co-pays, and energy lost to anxiety. Parenting is hard, and we should respect and honor the work that it is. Spare some patience for yourself; find ways to take a break; get a date night. That nature walk you are so good to take your children on? Enjoy it for yourself as well. I do not say this to diminish in any way the amazing joy and adventure of parenting. Quite the contrary – nothing can replace it, or the strength you find in yourself to do things you did not know you could do.
When you return to your children from your break, remember that you don’t have to be involved in all that they do at every moment. It is good to stand back and observe your children, to give them the trust of independent work and play. If you take that time, you will learn a great deal about them. As parents, we are always playing catch-up to our children. As soon as we are used to one stage, it changes. The moment we can handle one variety of boundary pushing, we get another. If you take the time to observe, your children will show you where they are and you will have better ideas, better tools, better understanding. They will amaze you with their capabilities.