Parenting Luck

Who passes out the parenting luck? Who decides who gets the good sleepers, the easy labors, the self-motivated potty trainers? Can I have some more?

I've had my tricky things; my hours of pushing, my breastfeeding difficulties, my sleepless hours. It's my turn to have a little bit of magical parenting dust sprinkled on this messy house. Hey, fairy godmother, forget the shoes, can I have sleeping babies? How about blessing a little minion of mine with some potty training motivation? Or, maybe, just maybe could you turn 5-7 p.m. into magic hour instead of witching hour?

No?

Really?

You mean every parent has some easy things, some tricky things?

Oh, you're saying I'm actually pretty lucky to have it as easy as I do?

Okay, I can see your point.

They are pretty magical.

Showing off the blackberry she found in the bushes.

25 Things Learned in 25 Years

I remember imagining as a child what I would be like, and everything I would know when I graduated from high school. And then I graduated and realized I was still clueless. It was a big disappointment. Since then I've realized that there will never be a point where I have it all figured out. However, through some sometimes painful lessons in my quarter century of life, I have learned a few things.

Some of these are silly. Some of these are serious. All of these are ideas that help me live my day to day life.

25 Things Learned in 25 Years

1. It's not about me. If people treat me unkindly, than it is probably something going on in their life, not mine.
2. It's easier to change my plan than to have no plan at all.
3. People are more important than things. I have to remember that it is always worth it to be generous with my time and resources and if some thing (e.g. researching the perfect stroller, some belonging being stolen) is stressing me to the point where I am not enjoying my people, I need to take a step back.
4. Failure is simply a step on the path to success. Better to fail than to be frozen. You learn by doing.
5. It is better to apologize than to be right.
6. Talent counts. Hard work counts twice. Working smart counts thrice.(Paraphrased from Grit by Angela Duckworth)
7. Everything seems better when you've taken a ten minute walk.
8. No relationship in my life is so frayed it cannot be fixed with love and prayer.
9. I hate wearing clothes that don't fit well.
10. I am kinder, more energized, and healthier when I take care of my body by drinking crazy amounts of water, eating fruits and vegetables, and moving every day.
11. God hears my prayers.
12. When times are hard, God doesn't change the circumstance, he changes me.
13. Having fun takes a lot of work, especially when you have children.
14. Even though I'm an introvert, having a sense of community is essential.
15. I can learn how to do anything. I am not incapable of simple tasks.
16. Ignoring my limitations keeps them in my path, tripping me up constantly. Recognizing my limitations allows me to either work around them or work on them.
17. Constant self-criticism does not protect me from the criticism of others, so why waste my time?
18. Ask for what I need, people are usually happy to help me if they can.
19. Friends don't need to be in the same stage of life, have the same hobbies, or live around the corner to be valuable friends.
20. It's much easier to plan on doing things every day (even if it doesn't work out), than to plan on most or some days.
21. The easiest way to clean my house is to not have a lot of stuff.
22. Life comes in seasons. Chances are the thing that is driving you crazy will be different in just a few years.
23. The best way to listen is to stop talking.
24. Reading books, playing my violin, and going on walks are more relaxing and energizing than facebook, watching tv, or even, occasionally, than taking a nap.
25. I know nothing. Every time I start to think that I have things figured out, I learn something that challenges that idea.