Mountains of laundry, knock-knock jokes, and making memories AKA...being a parent

After working a long night shift in Salt Lake, and traveling home, the thought of crawling into my warm bed was more than thrilling.

I unlocked my door and was immediately bombarded by the smells of my home. After tripping over a few shirts strewn about the room, and a stray toy or two on the stairs, the smells began to intensify.

It smelt like sweat and dirty laundry.

Once at the top of the stairs I was reminded of the many things, including a mountain of laundry, that still needed to be done.

This never ending list only seems to grow with each passing hour.

As the list stretches, so do I. Almost thin.

The responsibilities of caring for three small children, alone, are not easy.

The loneliness and helplessness associated with it, I would not wish on anyone.

But those mornings, when I wake up with a little person by my side, or hear a knock-knock joke told without a punch line, or when I see the excitement of a first ever roller coaster ride, the loneliness, helplessness, ache and stress melt away, if even for a moment.

And all the hard work, the late hours, the tackling of laundry mountains become worth those little moments.

I only wish work and school didn't pull me away, so I could have those moments, all day, everyday.

I often feel like I'm cheating my children.

But I have also (finally) learned that it is more important for me to make those wonderful memories during the time I do get with them, instead of squandering it away pining for more.

No parent single or divorced, short or tall, fat or skinny, parents correctly all the time. It's a daunting task, to parent (with no manual, by the way). You're always second guessing, always regretting, always wishing for a second chance.

But, if at the end of the day, you love your children, and they know it (and this should go without saying...but you don't abuse them in any fashion) and you are constantly trying to be better, then you are a successful parent.

And for many of us, that's all we want.



-- Post From My iPhone