It's Christmastime. Go easy on yourself. Don't think you have to do EVERYTHING social media tells you to do. Don't think you have to create every recipe on Facebook that looks amazing. Please, for the love of everything that's right and pure, do NOT make every kind of Christmas craft with your kids that you've pinned on Pinterest. They won't remember it anyway.
When you take your kids for an ice cream treat and your toddler picks the blue ice cream, don't freak out that she might ruin her clothes. And for the Love, when she decides (after eating half of her ice cream) that she instead wanted the orange one, don't loose your cool. It's not worth it. If you do, it is OKAY. Your child will still love you anyway. She will also love you if you don't give in and let her have the orange ice cream as well.
When you check out at the grocery store and she wants candy or gum, or whatever else the store puts at her eye level, you CAN SAY NO. She will survive. I promise you that. And guess what!? YOU WILL TOO. What's that? She will scream or cry? That's okay. I guarantee your child won't be the first one who cries in Walmart because she didn't get her way.
Don't be too hard on yourself when she cries all the way home because you had to buckle her in her car seat, then throws a fit because you take her out of her car seat and she wanted to DO IT HERSELF. She is only two. She is not a reflection of your love or parenting. She is learning limits. She is figuring out she has a "will". She thinks she has an opinion.
When she opens a present under the tree. Re-wrap it. Put it back. Make her wait for Christmas. She will learn good things come with patience.
DRINK A CUP OF COFFEE or wine, or whatever your poison may be. Eat yourself a piece of chocolate. Count to ten. Do whatever it takes to cool down.
Love your child. They will grow out of that stage. I promise. I have witnessed it. YOU will survive. Sometimes, you don't feel like it-- but I promise you, you will.
And for the Love, put the tv on for your child and take a shower! You need it!
This parenting stuff isn't easy. Toddlers are just down-right hard. Let's just all admit it to ourselves. Let's help our friends out. Encourage one another. Stop the mom-shaming people.
And when you're trying to write a blog, and your toddler needs your arm for a slide for her hotwheels to roll down, just take a break. She will only be little for a short time. Play cars with her. Have a tea party next to the Christmas tree. Let her have the Christmas washi tape you purchased for those cards you didn't send. Let her stick it to the table.
And above all else...
Give yourself a break. Keep your Joy Mommas!
**Disclaimer, no children were hurt in the writing of this blog. These examples may or may not be true life examples from my life. You decide. #hazelwashere
