Our kids, our world

The moment they do things you’ve never done or could have done, you look at them, amazed, a life coming from you. Such magic, such an incredible moment, yet so easy to take for granted. You created something better than yourself.

When they fail, it hurts so much, far more than when you fail. The pain can be so deep that you sometimes need to be alone, to hold it and sit with it until it moves on. You want the world to be kind to them, but the world is a tough place. You can’t know the future or guarantee anything. For yourself, that was never a big issue, but it’s a heavy feeling when you think and pray for their future.

Our kids. Our world.

Parenthood meets introversion

I talked with a friend who is also a parent about memories each had from the early days of parenting. I noticed we had completely different memories. My set was around many stressful moments back then. My friend’s was mainly around the magic and love of these primal moments.

Over time the experience became much more familiar and known, but this conversation made it clearer that different personalities process intense experiences differently. While there’s nothing new here, the extent surprised me.

What was so overwhelming? 

Less control over events.

Much more attention and unasked for advice.

Many friction points with your partner.

Less free time.

A lot more noise.

You worry.

Your emotions go up and down, not the preferred small changes.

Much more decisions.

Much less sleep.

It opens your heart in a way you could not imagine possible.