parenthood feels like a slog

Anonymous
As a mother of a 2 year old, motherhood feels like a slog and a constant compromise between my career, me-time and parenthood. When does it stop feeling this way? Do people just get better at managing these assorted responsibilities or is there a point when you can regain control. My husband is older than me and much more established in his career, so all he has to do really is carve out time for parenting which he does by giving up some time consuming fitness activities and compromising on sleep.
Anonymous
Older parent here. My kids are 19, 16 and 12. It does get easier, both because you get more experienced and they become more self-sufficient. I began to notice a difference when my youngest went off to full-day pre-K. Having all the kids out of diapers, into full-day school, and moving out of the exhausting middle-of-the night wakings made a HUGE difference. Also, things that throw you as a new parent just don't seem to matter as much as the kids get older. No time for dinner prep? No problem, just call out for pizza or have everyone pitch in and fix a quick salad or pasta meal. Child has a terrible cold? No biggie, just get some Tylenol Cold and let them stay home for a day from school. The one area where I think it remains challenging...maybe dealing with teenage rebellion and angst? But even that seems easier to me than dealing with a tantruming toddler (although the two developmental stages have a lot in common, lol).

Seriously, hang in there! It does get easier. In the meantime get yourself a babysitter and get out of the house for a dinner, movie, mani/pedi. It really helped me, and I wish now I'd done those things more often when the kids were small. It saved my sanity!
Anonymous
Thank you so much to the experienced Mom who just replied. I needed your words of wisdom today. I am an older parent, but my daughter just turned 4! Bless you.
Anonymous
Once the youngest is in K.
Anonymous
I am the PP who posted at 14:38. You are most welcome, and I'm glad it helped. Us moms have to stick together and support one another!
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