Let’s be honest

1. It gets better.

As a parent, I solemnly swear to never, EVER spread this lie to other parents: “It gets better.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard these three ridiculous little words slip out people’s mouths. 

No. It doesn’t get better. What happens is you (and your children) finally master one hurdle only to find a new, more clever hurdle waiting for you. When the boys learned to walk aka run, we and our sore backs were so relieved from carrying them around. We quickly discovered a new phenomenon called colliding toddlers. Our sons could not control their little legs and newfound power until they collided with their tiny twin at full toddler running speed. It was a simple mistake really. The boys were too short to see over the couch and too young to understand the interlocking pathways of our house. 

2. I miss my single life.

I said that to Dominic the other day as I was daydreaming out loud. He pulled back and said, “Single?”. What I meant was our life before children.  It was simple and self-centered. When the most complicated and repetitive question we had as a couple centered around what we should have for dinner. 

3. You make me feel so young.

Having children makes me feel old. I am shocked by the wrinkles in my skin. The crease where my cheek meets my nostril. My forehead in resting state. My chapped hands covered in bumpy veins. The grays on my head. I blame it on parenthood and work. My memory is shot. At work, I constantly have to write things down so I have a record of what was discussed because in 3 hours time, I typically forget what was discussed.

(Sigh)

I don’t know how to end this post except to say I can’t wait until it gets better.