What I learned about parenting this week

(in no particular order)

• I learned that parenting is one of the hardest, most stress-filled-danger-lurking-around-every-corner jobs. But it is also one of the most rewarding and gratifying jobs (HELLO people—we’re molding human lives here!!).
• I learned that broken items (toys AND non-toys) should NEVER be left out—they are quickly mistaken as ‘new’ toys—but that broken toy pliers squeezing Auntie’s arm really hurts, and that a towel bar used as a tool on the house you’re building is quickly going to put a hole in Daddy’s leather chair.
• Climbing trees is never allowed. Never. Not even when we’re trying to pull a Sound of Music.
• Messy diapers are gross—and hazards to the environment! And, wiggly arms and legs are not helpful to Auntie when changing a messy diaper. So not helpful.
• Shoes are overrated. (I ONLY forgot them once for one of the children, and remembered them all the time for me. Thanks Grammy, for the suggestion of leaving them in the car!)
• Purses are overrated. I learned that all I need are the car keys, my phone, my sunglasses, my driver’s license, some money, some snacks, some drinks (non-alcoholic, of course!), some tissues (though shirts work just as well)…ok, so maybe a purse is required (and I didn’t even mention the shoes, car toys and extra diapers!). I totally get the stylish diaper bags now—something that doubles for both mommy and children needs!
• You should NEVER-EVER-NEVER set your Starbucks drink on the roof or hood of the car. You’ll be tempted, especially when you have your hands full with a bag and a child, but don’t do it—because you NEED that drink. Get your priorities straight—put drink in cup-holder first and then put kids in seats. (I may, or may not be speaking from experience here—I’ll just say, that if you’re going to set it down, set it on the hood of the car so, in theory, you’ll see it before you start driving.)
• Every place should have a drive-thru (though this could be my laziness talking here). Just imagine it—preschools with drive-thrus (though that line might get a bit long), gas stations with drive-thrus (full-service pumps so make sense now!), and EVERY Starbucks should have a drive-thru.
• Always park close to a sidewalk or close to the door. NEVER park in the middle of a parking lot. Parking lots are full of danger. (Where are my Inspector Gadget arms when I need them?!)
• Can someone please invent a kid thermometer that is kid-friendly (or at least deceivingly so?!)—maybe one where you add different lollipop attachments to the top, or, one that looks like a sippy cup—something that doesn’t have to be stuck in the ear, mouth, arm pit?!? (Though I am oh-so-thankful for child medicines that taste like candy!)
• Snacks/drinks are a parent’s/caretaker’s best friend and can stave off boredom/trouble/unhappiness like nothing else—especially when in the car, at church, or at a concert (though the correct answer to “Can I have fruit snacks? Yes, I know I just had 5 cookies…” is always “NO!”).
• A second pair of helping hands (adult, not child) is always appreciated. Always.
• Who is creating children’s cartoons/shows these days?!? I don’t even know what to say to this.
• Sometimes giving in to a request is easier in the short-term for Auntie (but can create challenges in the long-term for Mommy & Daddy!).
• Car keys/house keys should have attachments like my uncle's jet-ski key does--so they are with you at all times. I finally used a carabiner to attach them to my jeans/purse. Of course, I never lost them, left them at the store, on the car seat, or on the ground--but I envisioned myself doing so many, many times!
• People who say "Boy, you have your hands full!" when they see you carting around two toddlers is not helpful, and slightly degrading--especially at times when I think it looks like I have it all together. (Though, our definitions of "all together" could be slightly different.)
• Prayers for patience are never ceasing. And, you're never too big to apologize/ask forgiveness for allowing your fear/frustration to turn into anger.
• Coffee and wine are two of Auntie's best friends (though I suppose this is probably true all the time, and not just after a week of parenting!).

Needless to say, I learned a lot. And I wasn’t even fulfilling all the roles of a real parent. I wasn’t paying bills; responding to birthday party RSVPs (or buying gifts for such parties); planning menus for next week (or this week since all of our meals were outlined and pre-made!); washing/folding laundry (or even choosing the children’s outfits since those were already laid out for me!); cleaning of any sort—though I don’t even like to do that at my own house (wiping the counter and taking out the trash were about all I could manage this week—crumbs on the floor? Makes me feel like I’m at the beach!); communicating with my spouse/friends/other adults; planning that summer vacation; scheduling the pool company, the bug company, the yard company; and forget mowing the yard…the list continues on! I managed the children’s basic needs (and my own basic needs!) and that was about it—and that was pretty much a full-time job!

And it made me realize how self-involved I am—the change to full-time caring for/worrying about others was refreshing and eye-opening. My life problems/worries/work frustrations just seemed to fade to the background as I focused on my two most favorite little people. And I didn’t miss thinking about myself (though I did sometimes miss my personal space—can Auntie please go to the bathroom by herself?).

I was honored to be entrusted with the care and well-being of these two precious miracles—and though they are young and will probably forget this week, I know I never will. And I’m guessing Grammy and Nana and Papa (the other hands on-deck this week) won’t either! We weren’t perfect, and probably broke some of the house rules, but WE ROCKED THIS!!! (Though I think that speaks more to good parenting than anything we did in the week!)

Mostly, I learned that kids have very basic needs—someone to love them, care for them, create a consistent and stable home for them. They don’t need lots of money, or lots of toys, or fancy clothes, or fancy cars, or fancy shoes—they just want someone to be present with them—to throw a ball, to chase around, to read a book, to sit quietly, to ponder life’s wonders…

Thank you to my parents, grandparents, aunt and uncle and two cousins--for modeling these things to me when I was growing up (and still today), so I can now model them to my niece and nephew and all the other little children in my life (and maybe someday, my own children).

And, thank you to my brother and sister-in-law, for not only being great friends and valued members of our family, but for allowing us to care for and love on your kids—it was a true blessing.

A true blessing.