I am the first of my friends to become a mother. I always knew I wanted to be a mom, I never even considered any alternatives. But what about all of the lovely gals that aren't so sure? I fear our modern age paints only two very deceiving pictures: that parenting is brutally hard, never ending, often thankless work, or that it is the most satisfying, rewarding, joyful endeavour ever. What if you're not sure and reading one more thing about how hard it is makes you miss out on such a special experience? And how are new parents supposed to feel if they bought into the second version and are still waiting for their bliss?
Of course, the simple and honest answer is that parenthood is often a mix of both stories. In my limited experience as a mother, I feel as though the tough times and the joyful times seem to move in cycles. Just when I think it's all just too hard, something gives (sometimes it's my patience); but often overnight, and seemingly out of nowhere, the tide changes. And just like that, we enter into what I like to refer to as sparkle magic time.
This is the bit I wish to share with anyone considering parenthood. It will be tough, boring, irritating, and disappointing; but then, as if enduring said struggles are the only way to truly understand joy, it will be magic. You know the feeling of first falling in love? The cycles of parenting allow you to experience that over and over again.
I am not suggesting that you don't love your toddler when they are saying no on repeat and crying constantly. I am suggesting that when they try yes on for size, and they make that leap to where crying and screaming aren't default responses, you fall wildly, madly, head over heels IN love with them. Sometimes the sparkle magic is fleeting, other times you can't help but acknowledge how long it has lasted. (Although, we all know this can lead to the dreaded jinx; i.e. Jude has been so sparkly lately I'm pretty sure he will drop his nap and start spitting venom at any moment.)
Oh, those sparkle magic times; those times when they are fun and funny and easy going and happy. No matter how brief those moments are, they make the whole thing worth while.
I'd love to know your thoughts. If you don't have kids yet, does this make any sense? If you are a parent do you agree?
