It really does get better...

To all new parents who feel like parenting has completely taken over their life, to all the SAHP out there feeling like they are losing their minds, to everyone who is afraid that “this is it” and then feeling guilty for feeling that way, to everyone who feels cliches don’t apply to them... it really does get better!Okay, maybe I’m being a bit dramatic here. My two boys turn seven and four this summer and I can honestly say that “older generation” parents (meaning parents of older children than mine) were right: it really does get better. I had mild PPD after having my first and I have struggled with parenthood quite a bit over the past six years. I always loved kids: I preferred babysitting over going out on the weekends and thought I knew it all when it came to kids. Until I had my own. I felt the responsibility was overwhelming and struggled with the little time and energy that is left for me to take care of myself.I’ve had to deal with some personal issues over the past six months and I’m working hard on them, and I’m beginning to see my insecurities and pitfalls and at the same time, I can honestly say parenthood is becoming a little easier.I’m not hauling around diaper bags or strollers anymore. I’m not planning my whole day around nap time anymore. We all sleep through the night: even when my youngest climbs into bed with us in the middle of the night, every night. I can have conversations with my boys and they can tell me what they want or need. My oldest can bathe and dress himself or make himself a sandwich if he needs to. It’s not that I resented taking care of my young children (baby/toddler phase) but today my husband and I took our boys to a nature reserve that had a playground and restaurant etc and I watched them play and realised I’m not changing diapers in tiny ladies’ rooms anymore, I’m not keeping a baby from eating sand anymore, I’m not helping someone get on something or off something every five seconds anymore. Nobody is screaming in high chairs or too tired but refusing to nap. The taking care of basic needs part is becoming easier.That doesn’t mean that bedtime tonight wasn’t a complete battlefield or that they eat whatever I cook them or that they don’t completely drain my energy sometimes... but next time someone tells you “it’s a phase” and you feel like you’ve been in a “phase” forever; there will be a time where you watch your kids play in a playground and think to yourself that you’ve made it to the next stage and this stage is a little easier than the previous one.It really does get easier. via /r/Parenting http://bit.ly/2GvPgEZ