A Walk in the Park...

Wouldn't it be nice if that were true with parenting...that it was just a walk in the park? HA. Anyone who has had children knows this is far from the truth, although there are moments of parenthood that could make this statement ring true!

First off, my little guy turned 18 months.  A year and a half has flown by since he graced our family with his presence! This milestone brought a right of passage at church...Nursery!  Normally, I would say Hip Hip Hooray, but let's be honest here: He hates it.  I don't blame him per say.  He's spent the past year in the hallway with me as I attempt to fulfill my duties and Primary secretary which meant he's had free rain of the halls.  And now I have the nerve to confine him to a room with only 4 other children despite the snacks and toys.  He's not having it, at least not yet.  Maybe by the time he's 2, or 3.

Turning 18 months also meant a trip to the pediatrician for a well child checkup.  I scheduled Boston's 4 year at the same time to eliminate a trip and recruited Curtis to accompany me. As a parent, I feel like we often look to others for reassurance and support that we are doing the right thing by our kids. And, when it comes to their a health, we want their doctor to have nothing but praise for how well they are growing and developing.  Our little guy is growing, although some may say a tad disproportionate, as he is 20% for his weight, 50 for his height, and 80 for his head! In other words, he's slightly skinny, but average in height, with an above average size of head.  Awesome.

Which leads me to some thoughts.  I spend a lot of time telling my kids that they are not like anyone else, they are individuals.  They are unique and special in their own way even when they differ from their friends.  We are taught that its unhealthy to compare ourselves to others and we attempt to pass that on to our children.

And then we take them to the doctor and compare them with every other U.S. child that's their age. Above average, below, off the charts, not on the charts, etc. are a few things we hear.  Then come the questions about their development and things they should be doing and should not be doing based on age.  I've learned there are some things I choose not to disclose, like the fact Maddox still has a bottle and night. And he loves it.  Even though, his doctor said he should be on strictly sippy cups by 18 months. Ah well...


Then the kicker, Does he say 7-20 words?

Are you kidding me? Curtis and I looked at each other smiling.  He's not a talker. At. ALL.  He communicates what he needs in other ways, says the occasional mom, dad and ball, but comes no where near the 7-20 word quota.  His pediatrician seemed slightly concerned which prompted a few more questions. I don't spend hours a day doing flash cards, I figure he will talk when he's ready.  His personality is pretty laid back and he probably figures he couldn't get a word in anyway with his other 2 siblings.

And somehow, I still left concerned maybe something is wrong with him. Because compared to all the other 18 month olds, he's apparently behind.

I'm learning each one of my children is very different from the other and adjusting my parenting skills is necessary to get through each day.  Taylor loves school and does her homework without much help from me, while Boston has shown much less interest in learning anything related to those so called letters. He's a boy, she's a girl, it's just a stage, they'll grow out of it, they are polar opposites, they are 2 peas in a pod...In parenting its always something. And when its not, one of them usually wakes up in the night sick so then it is something again.

Not to mention my own internal comparing on a daily basis.  How is her house always so clean? Why are their kids so well behaved in the store? How on earth does that one year old speak full sentences, count to 100, read sight words, and know every body part you point to?!! OK, so maybe I exaggerated on that last one, but there are days when I feel like I'm just not measuring up to parenting awards they hand out.

But, there is no manual to parenting. It's not a walk in the park, unless that said park is in the remote jungle with 100% humidity, and wild creatures lurking unseen all around you.

So instead of dwelling too much on what I'm not doing as a parent, I'll try to focus on what I am. I'm raising human beings to be the best they can be which some days mean everyone is fighting and whining and I can barely hear myself think.  But it's just a stage right? This too shall past....until next week when it will most likely rear its ugly head again:)

But just for proof that this weekend was void of any such chaos....Some pictures to prove that they are happy, healthy and loved.

 

Now I'm off to wipe snotty noses, help with homework,clean up for the bazillionth time today and look like I completely have it all together.