What I’ve Learned

I’m so pleased to be joining the fantastic team of bloggers at The Parenting Post. I’m Shannon, and I’m the mom to four kids, ages eleven to three. I’m so pleased that I have the chance to meet up with you here each week. Over a decade into my own motherhood journey, I’ve learned that the best way to navigate this wild ride is to reach out to other parents in the trenches.

You know what else I’ve learned?

I’ve also learned that feeding chocolate syrup to a dog generally doesn’t work out very well.

I’ve learned that permanent markers are, sadly, quite permanent.

I’ve learned that you should never underestimate the wide variety of mischief that can be inspired by a ceiling fan.

I’ve learned that the likelihood that your son will ask you how babies are made is directly proportionate to the likelihood that your husband is out of town.

I’ve learned that hearing your toddler sing "Old MacDonald" over the baby monitor is decidedly more charming at 9 pm than at 2 am.

I’ve learned that sometimes ketchup may be the only vegetable we manage to squeeze in on a particular day, and it’s not the end of the world.

I’ve learned that I am, remarkably, able to simultaneously detangle a child’s hair, conduct a spelling quiz, check e-mail, and phone the plumber, yet I cannot remember my own age.

I’ve learned that if you sigh and tell a little boy that yes, the groceries need to come in, but I’m afraid they might be a little too heavy for you is one very efficient way to get your groceries brought in, pronto.

I’ve learned that watching your child get off a school bus with his shoulder sagging can rip out your very heart. And that watching him get off the bus carrying an aced spelling test may bring you more joy than you thought was possible from a simple piece of paper.

Most of all, I’ve learned that this parenting journey is a marathon, not a sprint, and that I’m not alone in sometimes feeling overwhelmed and out-matched. So we circle the wagons, we parents, and we lend each other a hand when it’s been One Of Those Days. We share what works, and what doesn’t, and we remind each other that there’s always carpet shampoo.

I look forward to circling the wagons with you here each week. I suspect we have much we can learn from each other.

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