If you’re nursing your newborn and your nipples feel like they’re on fire, and no one bothered to give you a heads-up about this part, rest assured it will improve. I assure you.
If your little one isn’t sleeping through the night and you’re questioning whether you might actually collapse from sheer tiredness, it will get better, I promise.
If your toddler responds with a resounding NO! to every single request you make, just know that it will improve. It might take until she’s five or six, but it will get better. I promise.
If your child is signed up for basketball but is too scared to join in, and you worry he’ll never embrace team sports, it will get better. I promise.
If your child is set to start preschool in three weeks, and while he can pee in the potty, he insists on pooping in a Pull-Up while hiding in the closet, you may think wiping his behind will be a lifelong chore. But it will get better. One day, unexpectedly, he’ll go poop in the potty. I promise.
If you’ve had to replace more than one toilet because your child sent a toy down the drain, it will get better. I promise.
If your kid suffers from motion sickness and your car is a mobile supply of extra clothes, towels, and trash bags, it will get better. He’ll likely outgrow it. If not, he’ll eventually be able to tell you when he needs to pull over. I promise.
If your child suddenly starts wetting the bed at age 7, 8, or 9, it will improve. This phase will pass. I promise.
If you can’t even think about jumping on a trampoline because even the lightest breeze makes you worry about leaks, well, unless you opt for surgery, that’s unlikely to change. But remember, you’re not alone. I promise.
If your child bursts into tears at the gym daycare as soon as you hand her over, and you find yourself summoned just minutes after starting your workout, it will get better. Just keep going. I promise.
If you’ve decided to avoid the beach because your child dives straight into the ocean and consumes sand, leaving you in a constant state of panic, it will improve. One day, you will sit down with a book while your kids play safely. I promise.
If your child finds endless excitement in splashing toilet water or the dog’s dish, it will get better. He’ll eventually move on to less messy pastimes. I promise.
If trips to the pool feel like a marathon of following your 18-month-old to prevent him from jumping in, it will improve. I promise.
If a playground visit means you’re constantly pushing your child on the swings or guarding the slide to prevent falls, it will get better. One day, you’ll be able to sit on a bench and simply watch her play. I promise.
If your 3-year-old decides to give herself a haircut right before your family photo shoot, leaving a patch of hair missing, it will get better. You might cry, but eventually, you’ll laugh about it. I promise.
If your child embarrasses you in the grocery store by asking a stranger about their beard or why someone has extra weight, don’t worry; that feeling will fade. One day, you’ll share those stories with other parents and laugh. I promise.
In fact, one day, when you look back on all these experiences, they’ll seem trivial. Because before you know it, your kids will be teenagers, and you’ll find yourself reminiscing fondly about the diaper days, the toy-flushing incidents, and the sand-eating adventures. I promise.
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Summary:
Parenting can be overwhelming, filled with tough moments and challenging phases, but remember that these experiences will improve over time. From breastfeeding discomfort to toddler tantrums, each stage is temporary. Embrace the chaos and know you are not alone in this journey.