PW Design and Co

Parenthood is often described as a journey filled with love, joy, and fulfillment. However, if you have kids you know the challenges that come with raising them especially when raising young children. From smiles to the first time they say I love you, and the times they scream and cry, the experience can feel like a rollercoaster ride, with emotions soaring high one moment and plummeting the next. Let’s be real of the various facets of parenting young kids, encompassing both the exhilarating highs and the daunting lows.

The Ups:

1. Unconditional Love: One of the most profound joys of parenting is experiencing unconditional love. The bond between parent and child is unbreakable, filled with affection, warmth, and an overwhelming sense of connection. Witnessing your child’s first smile, hearing their infectious laughter, and hear the words “Mommy I love you” completely out of the blue.
2. Milestones and Achievements: Celebrating your child’s milestones, whether it’s their first steps, first words, or first day of school, fills you with pride and a sense of accomplishment. These moments make the hard days seem less important and help to improve your loving bond.
3. Discovering the World Anew: Through the eyes of your children, you rediscover the wonder and magic of the world. Rewatching your favourite Disney movies, sharing your favourite toys with your kids and allowing them to slow you down to take in all the beauty around us.
4. Learning and Growth: Parenthood is a journey of continual learning and personal growth. As you navigate the challenges of raising young children, you develop patience, resilience, and empathy. From breaking generational cycles and reparenting yourself, it is a better version of yourself emerging.
5. Creating Lasting Memories: Family moments, whether it’s building sandcastles at the beach or cozying up with a bedtime story, create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. And your child may not remember the moments, but you sure will.

The Downs:

1. Exhaustion and Sleep Deprivation: The demanding nature of parenting young children often leads to exhaustion and sleep deprivation. Late-night feedings, soothing cries, and early morning wake-up calls can take a toll on both physical and mental well-being, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and desprite.
2. Challenges of Discipline: Setting boundaries and enforcing discipline can be challenging, particularly when dealing with tantrums, defiance, and boundary-pushing behavior. Finding a balance between what your parents did and giving in is a never-ending push and pull. Some days you just have to pick your battles.
3. Guilt and Self-Doubt: Parents often experience feelings of guilt and self-doubt, questioning whether they’re doing enough or making the right decisions for their children. I wish I could say I was doing it all right, but all I can say is each day I show up and do my best. With some days being better than others.
4. Financial Pressures: Raising children comes with significant financial responsibilities, from providing basic necessities to funding education and extracurricular activities. The cost of childcare is absolutely wild. And for parents parenting without a village, a babysitter can run you $25/hour in Edmonton. Leaving you either financially strapped or mentally tapped out.
5. Lack of Time for Self-Care: Prioritizing self-care amidst the demands of parenting can be challenging, often leaving parents feeling neglected or overwhelmed. The first year after my son felt impossible to have any time to myself as those of you who nurse know that you can never be to far from a hungry baby. But that comes with a toll and an unfair strain on your partnership. Finding time for yourself is crucial whether it be a talk or just a coffee date with yourself.

While the downs can sometimes feel like they outweigh the ups, you’ll notice it just takes one gesture from your child to shift the tables the other direction. It is an insane job, but one that I cherish and find a positive more days than not. So if you are parenting small children, go easy on yourself, this is hard and arguably harder than previous generations as we become more involved in our children’s lives.