With most new things one can take the time to master it and then, well, it is mastered. With parenting everything is always changing. Just when you master it and get in a groove, things change, and then you are back to square one. Getting discouraged is not the way to go, rather one needs to dig in and beg, buy, steal, barter, and invent anything that can help you survive and endure. And, perhaps more importantly, the ever changing life of a parent needs to be embraced and relished - just as those climbing Mount Everest or swimming across the English Channel embrace their adventure and identify the tools they need to survive - and enjoy it.
In the extreme sport of parenting laughter is essential. Last week I picked Oliver up from school and was pulled aside by his wonderful teacher who wanted to share with me "one of the most wonderful moments" she has had as a teacher. Right now you are probably thinking Oliver stood up and shared the secrets of gravity with his friends. Au contraire. The friends were going around the circle and sharing their favorite songs - one child shared the "Itsy Bitsy Spider," another shared "The Wheels on the Bus." My cherubic child? He got up and - totally unabashed - belted out: "Whatcha gonna do with all that junk - all that junk inside your trunk." Juliet said she almost wet her pants. I am processing this news when Oliver stands up on the bench in the cubby room and belts out: "I'm on a role and it's time to go solo. Rollin' in my 5.0 with my ragtop down so my hair can blow." Really?! When your child is belting out Vanilla Ice (as an encoure performance to the Black Eyed Peas) the only thing that can be done is laugh.
And then there is the love. After a day of challenges and feeling defeated, Oliver turned to me - half asleep and said: "Mommy, you have no idea how much you mean to me. I love you more than anyone has ever loved anything." Immediately nothing else matters.
So sweet! And I think we all have the injuries to prove the "extreme" part :)
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