04/19/2024
When this picture comes up in memories I’m instantly transported to the little beachside playground where I had taken three tiny kids to burn off some steam because they needed outside and running and it was free.
I remember I was so stressed and so sad and absolutely convinced I was doing it all wrong and messing these little humans up because of it.
Then, I climbed on this wild, spinning playground piece and literally couldn’t stop myself from laughing. Laughing. Out loud. I wasn’t even sure I was capable of that anymore.
When I saw this picture later, I remember thinking, man, I miss that girl. We should hang out with her more.
I’m not sure if that moment is what helped me give myself grace and start looking to inject more joy into our lives, but regardless of when, that did happen. And ever since, when I see this photo it feels emblematic of my parenting journey.
Because, when I stopped being so hard on myself, let go of comparison and unrealistic expectations and instead chose to align my life with what I valued, I looked up and found so many moments of unadulterated joy.
Parenting is hard. But it doesn’t have to steal all our joy. In fact, if we let it, parenting makes joyful moments that much sweeter.
Hang in there parents. Your belly-laugh moments are coming. Just make sure you allow yourself the time to soak them in.