Parenting is hard...

Each stage of parenting comes with its own set of challenges, from infant to toddler, youth and teenager. I've always wanted to be the parent of two and I am currently parenting a 7 year old and 12 year old. I find this stage extremely busy and very often frustrating.

As I'm sitting here trying to write this post, my kids are screaming, wrestling, laughing, and talking to themselves about their YouTube videos and Podcasts. Having patience has been extremely hard for me lately. I want to be "in the moment" but find myself wanting to have some alone time, which isn't in the cards. I read plenty of blogs and posts about the importance of moms putting themselves first and I can't seem to do that. Having to run my kids to soccer, hockey, basketball, golf, and the market for their candy business has been all-consuming. Knowing that my husband and I are going to have to start splitting our time with me taking one to their activity, while he takes the other, is playing on my mind because I really don't like missing the kids in their happy places.

Then there's the exhausting, frustrating AF attitude that the kids have been giving me lately. I honestly don't know what to do half the time. I've tried having heart to heart conversations, yelling, ignoring and crying...yes I've cried in front of my kids and explain why I'm crying. Sometimes these strategies work, and sometimes none of these strategies work...although I wouldn't say crying is a strategy, it's just the point at which I have nothing left to give. If you're a parent and you've read this far, I'm assuming you know what I'm talking about.

All of the craziness of running the roads (seriously though, I feel like I'm never home), and feelings of pure exhaustion are, surprisingly, worth it. I love my kids wholeheartedly and wouldn't change a thing...OK, maybe a little less attitude would be wonderful. My kids really are great kids and I hear this from everyone. I understand that when they are with me they feel safe and secure, which is why I'm their source of venting. What I don't understand is why this has to be a thing. I'm not going to lie, when I hear how great my kids are for others, it not only makes me proud but it actually makes me a little bit jealous.

Yes, parenting is HARD! But parenting is also rewarding, unconditional, and exciting. It makes me proud to say that my kids are learning how to become empathetic, adventurous, understanding, academic, wholesome individuals. Teaching our children how to become these things takes WORK.

I sometimes feel like I'm failing as a parent but maybe that's the mommy guilt playing tricks on me again. Tell me: what stage are your kids at and how are you making out?