It always surprises me how quickly kids pick up new things (minus potty training). What I’ve realized is that kids are amazing and that I, as a parent, need to be patient and give them the space to learn New Things, New Norms.
Life is always changing with 2 young kids and it’s not a bad thing. Right now we are in full “school year” mode with new routines and new norms. And the craziest part is that it only took a few days to switch gears. All I can say is that kids are so much more adaptable than I give them credit for.
Between 3 School for my Poppy, a new part-time job for me, family time, story time, playdates, and much needed down time, our weeks fly by! The girls seems to like our new routing and are getting a great mix of daily activities which I love!
Personally I’ve been thinking a lot lately about new norms and exposing my kids to the most I can, even from a very young age. With a 1 year old and a 3 year old, I could very easily avoid potentially stressful situations, just keep them at home and not take them anywhere because honestly it’s hard. Hard for US as parents, that is.
Yes it’s work. It’s work to pack up all their stuff and haul them places, take them in and out of the car (especially with winter coats soon), and prepare for potential meltdowns. However, the flip side is, kids are adaptable and learn by doing. This is the approach the hubs and I try to take as much as we can, and it has been really good for our family.
Recently we took the girls to their first wedding. Honestly it would have been way easier to get a sitter, but I wanted to bring them. Not only to share the special moment with dear friends, but also for the experience. And I have to say they surprised us, they did great and had a blast.
Of course, it’s not always smiles. Example, we took our girls to my mother in law’s cabin, and the first night, they both had a crying scream-fest! The first night was pretty much horrible! But the weekend got better, and it ended up being a great time! So I’m excited to take them back. I know each time will get easier.
Or the epic flight where Poppy ate too many snacks and she projectile vomited on me and herself and the seat and I forgot a change of clothes for her and I. Or the time I missed a wedding brunch because my toddler threw the biggest fit ever so I spent an hour or so in the parking lot trying to wrangle a hysterical toddler.
At the time, it was all mortifying but looking back it’s kind of funny. And if I had the chance I would do them all again because with each bad experience, they learn, we learn. It’s all one big painful learning!
The more you do things, the more normal they become.
Traveling is another one. We have a trip coming up with the girls and of course my little Beany is at the worse traveling age because she wants to be constantly running/climbing yet will somehow have to sit in my lap. Not to mention she doesn’t watch TV yet so screen time is not an option. Should be interesting but again, I trust that even if this flight is less than fun, we will survive and it will get better.
Over the next few months, I’m excited to spend as much time as we can outside before the weather gets really cold. And that’s another new norm my girlies will need to get use to this winter…. playing in the cold. Last winter, Poppy refused to play in the snow. But I’m on a mission to change that!
Although my girls are still so little, I can see how much they have grown and learned by being exposed to different things. Food, people, experiences, it all makes a difference. And my goal is to keep sharing the world with them as much as I can.
And of course on those bad days, because they will have many, I’ll treat myself to a nice cup of coffee or end the day sharing a drink and laughing with the hubs, because no matter what, I love those kids and tomorrow is a new day.
What are things your kids have adapted? Did they adapt quickly or was it rather painful?
Originally posted 2018-09-19 06:00:00.
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