I write a lot of snarky posts. Basically, irony comes far more easily than ironing. But every now and then, I have un-ironic moments. They’re fleeting. Most of them aren’t worth stopping for.
Sometimes I stop anyway.
When I was pregnant with my twins in Bangkok, I was put on bed rest near the end of my first trimester. My husband and I were forced to cancel our three week trip to South Africa. My husband remarked, “They’re only two centimetres long, and they’re already running our life.”
More than six years later, they’re still running our lives.
But when I stop complaining, I can grudgingly admit that our Alpha and Omega have made our lives better (cue sappy Hallmark ad now, please).
So, with imaginary harps playing in the clouds, here are 5 ways Thing One and Thing Two have made me a better person.
Reason One: Carpe Diem
Nothing makes you appreciate the moment and forget a snooty work email more than two pint-sized cheerleaders, shouting Mommy! When I sit on the floor and play blocks or a board game, I am in the moment, as kids always are.
Reason Two: Traveling
Okay, so traveling would also make the top 5 worst things about having kids. Now, however, when we travel by car, we become far less psychotic about getting to our destination as fast as possible. Instead, we stop at parks, stretch our legs, read roadside plaques, pose for photos underneath cheaply-painted, small town mascots. We also swim at the end of the day. And we feel better for it. It’s not always about the destination.
Reason Three: I see the bigger picture
Whether we’re laughing at their latest made up knock-knock jokes (this morning’s version was Knock Knock / Who’s there? / Daddy / Daddy who? / Daddy burped). Laughing with (or at) your kids is more important than ironing.
Reason Four: I cut parents of other kids more slack
The armchair parent in me has partially retired. Whether it’s a father trying to reason with his screaming toddler in the supermarket or a mother trying to calm a bratty kid who’s shouting “I win”, I tend to empathize. Because I’m often that parent.
Reason Five: I cut my own parents more slack
I now realize that my parents did a pretty damn good job. Which is what I hope my own spawn will say someday.
Post therapy, perhaps.
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Have I missed anything?
Definitely agree with number four. I am no longer a parenting elitist looking down my nose at failing parents. I am too busy chasing my crazy kid around to notice.
I like your travelling point when taken as a metaphor for life. I need to do a better job enjoying the ride instead of worrying about the destination.
That’s a good list! I often have problems being in the moment… I blame my undiagnosed ADD. LOL…
My kids have also taught me resiliency and the understanding that it’s not all about ME ME ME… Even when I think that my world is crashing around me (like they think theirs is crashing around them because I won’t take them to the “slurpee store”) I am reminded my problems aren’t all that bad.
Until now I never considered the travelling like that, but you make a convincing point!
My children have taught me the beauty of forgiveness. They don’t hold grudges and they wake up happy every morning. Important lessons, ones I keep working on.
Lovely post – all of it so true although the traveling one is a nightmare when any journey lasts more than an hour or two or involves a plane 🙂 The best thing for sure is seizing the moment, my daughter has taught me that in no uncertain terms.
I have to say that my kids have made me a better person because they make me just don’t care. It really doesn’t matter if the house is a mess or I haven’t had a shower in days. The kids are happy and that is all that matters. 😉
Now, I need to say that I am SO glad you followed me on Twitter. I think I am in love with your blog. Must read more.
Great post. I’m a new parent, but completely agree with appreciating my own parents more. And not just appreciating but understanding. I never had any idea why my mother did some of the things she did and I’m starting to kind of get it now.
I can totally relate, especially with the cutting my own parents more slack. I find myself realizing things that must have been hard for them and calling them to tell them thanks for their sacrifice…umpteen years later! Now, I just need to figure out how to make my son appreciate me much sooner!