“Say goodbye to sleep for the next 18 years”. If I had a pound for every time I heard that when I was pregnant I might not baulk so much at the cost of school shoes. Parenting is hard. Every age and every stage brings a new set of challenges, worry, and guilt. For a good few years you lose your sense of identity. Forever more you will put someone elses needs before your own. But how do you explain the heart exploding magic of it all? How do you put into words the beautiful parts of parenting that make every tantrum and sleepless night worthwhile? How do you tell someone the privileges of parenting?
The privilege of being the only person your baby wants when they are upset.
The absolute wonder of being the recipient of that first smile, and oh my, that first laugh. Is there any better sound in the world?
The privilege of being the one who gets to sniff their sleepy bed head. Even when they are 12.
And even though it always happens when you are rushing to get things done, or you’ve just tried to go for a wee in peace, imagine being the one that they simply can’t wait to say “Mummy, Daddy, watch me do this”.
The privilege of holding their hand for all those years on the way to school. Before they start walking by themselves and you desperately try and remember the last time you felt their hand in yours.
The overwhelming pride you feel when they make achievements and master new skills as you cheer them on from the side-lines.
The privilege of being the one they want to hug after a bad day.
Being their go to for every question that pops into their head every minute of every day. At least for the short period of time when they truly believe you know everything.
The privilege of being the one they want to push them higher and higher on the swing set.
To be ther person that gets to read them their bedtime story and tuck them in at night.
The privilege of peeking in their room and lingering a bit longer as you watch them sleep.
To experience their joy of a brand new day, even if it starts at 5am.
The privilege of the 2am feed when it can feel like it’s just the two of you in the whole world.
Being the person that can make everything better with a cuddle and a kiss.
The privilege of watching them become a really amazing kid who fills you with pride.
The absolute joy of making Christmas magical, like your parents did for you.
The privilege of being the person they miss when they are at school.
Being the person who knows the tickliest tickle spots and their best (incredibly bad) hiding places.
The privilege of knowing their favourite things, from teddys and tv programs, to ice cream flavours and favourite numbers!
Being the person who hears them singing when they are happy.
The privilege of seeing the world through their eyes.
Nothing prepares you for being a parent. And you will be forever searching for answers and hoping you are doing it ok. There are sleepless nights and mess. But there is so much laughter and love. And I guess that is one of the ultimate privileges of parenting. The privilege of seeing the person you created at their very best, and their very worst, and loving them unconditionally through it all.
This post is sponsored by Wickey. Wickey make high quality long lasting wooden swing sets that you can customise and extend your swing set with sand pits, and climbing frames and more so it grows with your child. Visit Wickey to find out more.
You might also like…
privileges of parenting
What a lovely post this is Claire… made me feel all the feels!