The Quote That's Become My Parenting Mantra

This parenting journey is amazing in how much of an emotional roller coaster ride it can be. The morning can start off bumpy and harried, and by mid morning, it’s calm and peaceful, only to become rocky and rickety by early afternoon.  It’s filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, and some moments I want to cry, and then the next moment I can’t help but laugh and scream with joy.  There’s one quote that I think of often when times are tough and when times are joyful.  One quote that I think perfectly states the ups and downs of the parenting journey.  What is it?  Read on…

via Etsy

“This too shall pass” is the quote I say in both good times and bad, my parenting mantra if you will.

I say it to myself at 2 am when I’m woken from a deep peaceful sleep to feed a hungry 8 week old baby.  This too shall pass.  Sleep deprivation is only temporary.  Eventually he will sleep through the night and I will be well rested again.

I say it to myself when his newborn smiles now include sweet sounding coos.  This too shall pass.  Cherish this moment, because eventually he’ll be so busy exploring he won’t take the time to stare at me and make me feel like the most important person in the world.

I say it to myself when my 5 year old stubbornly insists on wearing jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt when it’s 100 degrees outside.  This too shall pass.  Eventually he will learn to trust and listen to his mother’s advice, at least when it comes to appropriate clothing choices.  On second thought, we may never reach that point ha!

I say it to myself when all I want to do is finish folding the laundry and get dinner ready so I can rest for a moment, but my 7 year old desperately wants me to play Barbies with her.  This too shall pass.  One day she won’t want to play with me, preferring the company of her friends over her mother.  Enjoy it and take advantage of her wanting to be with me.

I said it to myself when both of my older kids started eating solid foods and more food landed up on the floor and on me than in their tummies.  This too shall pass.  Eventually they will gobble up their food and won’t need me to spoon feed them.

This too shall pass is the quote that has helped center me when I’m feeling stressed, aggravated, hurried and defeated.  I’ve easily said it ten thousand times since becoming a mother.  I’ve learned that the toughest moments will eventually pass, to be replaced with new and unique challenges.  Parenting keeps us on our toes!  I’ve also learned that the moments I want to freeze in time all pass too, so it’s up to me to slow down and be present to fully soak them in as much as possible.

So do you have a parenting mantra, or a favorite quote that keeps you going on the good days, and the tough ones?  Please share!

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