What has your child taught you about yourself?

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

That I’m selfish due to unresolved issues from my own childhood.

[Anonymous]

That I'm silly and funny. I have been keeping my silly side under wraps most of my life due a stifling home life growing up and a serious career, but being a mom allows me to fly my freak flag and my daughter finds it delightful. My husband likes it, too -- it's been nice for him to get to see a lighter side of me. And because they are so encouraging of it, I feel less self-conscious in general. Becoming a parent has made me feel like myself for the first time in my adult life. I feel more connected to who I was as a child and have been re-investing in old interests and just generally been more kind and accepting of myself. Such a gift (on top of my daughter, who is perhaps the most delightful person I've ever met).

[Anonymous]

That I can never homeschool. Just sitting with my 6 yr old for his virtual classes is torture sometimes. I get enraged by his lack of effort and devil may care attitude.

[Anonymous]

What a child I am! I can spend all day singing songs, playing barbies and swinging at playgrounds. I see people judge me for taking to my kids in grocery stores, playing on playgrounds and singing on hikes, but whatever. I’m only out to please my tots and they adore me. I love everything about toddlers- the songs, the toys, the books, and just their point of view. My daughter truly thinks unicorns exist and I will cry the day someone disabuses her of that notion. The world is mean, kids grow up too soon, and you only have one childhood.

I will say that at 8pm I’m DONE. And there is no more mom or dad until 8am. I have zero tolerance (unless they’re sick) for kids not going to bed on time and not sleeping. I know that so many co sleep and are up all night with kids. Nope. Our kids also stay in their rooms until 8am.

I have zero tolerance for a few things and for the rest I’m so flexible. People really aren’t black and white and we’re normally in the gray somewhere.

[Anonymous]

I thought I had resolved my issues from my FOO, but having a child dug them all back up. I would have never done to my DC what my parents did to me, and I had to grieve all over again.

[Anonymous]

That I have little patience with a lot of noise and movement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That I'm silly and funny. I have been keeping my silly side under wraps most of my life due a stifling home life growing up and a serious career, but being a mom allows me to fly my freak flag and my daughter finds it delightful. My husband likes it, too -- it's been nice for him to get to see a lighter side of me. And because they are so encouraging of it, I feel less self-conscious in general. Becoming a parent has made me feel like myself for the first time in my adult life. I feel more connected to who I was as a child and have been re-investing in old interests and just generally been more kind and accepting of myself. Such a gift (on top of my daughter, who is perhaps the most delightful person I've ever met).

Your post brought tears to my eyes. How delightful for you!

-another silly mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What a child I am! I can spend all day singing songs, playing barbies and swinging at playgrounds. I see people judge me for taking to my kids in grocery stores, playing on playgrounds and singing on hikes, but whatever. I’m only out to please my tots and they adore me. I love everything about toddlers- the songs, the toys, the books, and just their point of view. My daughter truly thinks unicorns exist and I will cry the day someone disabuses her of that notion. The world is mean, kids grow up too soon, and you only have one childhood.

I will say that at 8pm I’m DONE. And there is no more mom or dad until 8am. I have zero tolerance (unless they’re sick) for kids not going to bed on time and not sleeping. I know that so many co sleep and are up all night with kids. Nope. Our kids also stay in their rooms until 8am.

I have zero tolerance for a few things and for the rest I’m so flexible. People really aren’t black and white and we’re normally in the gray somewhere.

My kids are now in elementary and middle school, and I have loved each stage with them so far. But that said, as exhausting as it is, the toddler stage is so magical. Thank goodness I have nieces and nephews who allow me to enjoy that phase for a few years more.

[Anonymous]

That I was too anxious about my school work.

[Anonymous]

That I’m amazing at being a pretend monster.

[Anonymous]

That we are all in charge of our own happiness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That we are all in charge of our own happiness.

You don’t think you’re somewhat in charge of your children’s happiness? You’d make a decision based on your own comfort level vs what would make them happy and secure?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That I’m amazing at being a pretend monster.

LOL I love this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought I had resolved my issues from my FOO, but having a child dug them all back up. I would have never done to my DC what my parents did to me, and I had to grieve all over again.

I think this is so common. It certainly happened for me. I have had to distance myself from my parents since having a child. There is a lot of stuff from my childhood that I have defended for years as being "understandable" because of my parents' backgrounds and how young they were when they became parents. But having my own baby, I just can't imagine doing or saying to her what they did to me. It was easier for me to be empathetic before I had my own experience of parenthood, at which point the resentment bubbled up.