Emotional Parenting

I have decided nothing will make you more of an emotional mess than becoming a parent. From pride, joy to sadness and anxiety. We all know that time marches on, but as a parent sometimes we wish we could just freeze it for a moment. The emotional roller coaster that is parenting is in fact, never ending.

I used to say I wouldn’t be that parent that got my heart strings pulled and got emotional over every little milestone. Turns out, I am SO “THAT” parent! Even though I am THAT parent there are still a few things that I didn’t expect to get emotional about that I figured I would share for those who can relate.

1) Hearing that my children are kind humans.

As a parent we all question and pray that our children are kind, and that this world doesn’t steal their kind hearts or break them to become bitter. So, every time I hear that my children are kind it makes me think that just maybe I am on the right path in this parenting thing. But more than thinking I may be okay at this parenting job it makes me get filled with prideful tears and a smile that won’t go away for the whole day.

2) Milestones that we know are going to happen.

These milestones can be a baby’s first steps, sleeping through the night, transitioning into their cribs, first foods first words, preschool spirit days, Kindergarten graduation, and even losing their first tooth. Honestly the list is never ending. I know these things are all going to happen, but it tugs and makes this mama’s heart a mess. It makes it very clear that time marches on and it will not be slowing down for anyone.

3) The first “I got this, or I can do it myself, or I don’t need any help.”

Don’t get me wrong I love independence and hope that each of my children leave my home feeling like they can take on anything and everything. However, I also hope they know that parents are their first cheerleaders and remember that when they do fall, we will be the first ones cheering them on to get up and try again because “they got this.”

4) Leaving the nest.

The closest I have come to this is my children going to public school. I was emotional mess sending them off to school like I wasn’t going to see them at the end of the day so I can’t imagine how I will feel when they go off into the world on their own. I am sure they are excited and will do great and that is all we can hope for as parents. However, doesn’t mean we are not emotional about even though we know they will crush it.

Being a parent is probably one of the hardest jobs out there and the emotional roller coaster will never stop even when our little ones are adults because to us parents, they will always be our babies. Appreciate the in the moment opportunities and try to slow down yourself to recognize the moments themselves.

Thank you.
Ms. Michaela
Lead Preschool Teacher
Social Emotional Coordinator