parenting – Page 5 – The Merfett

From one of my favorite TV Mama’s:

“Raising a kid is like sending a rocket ship to the moon. You spend the early years in constant contact and then one day, around the teenage years, they go around the dark side and they’re gone. All you can do is wait for that faint signal that says they’re coming back.” – Claire Dunphy, Modern Family

So, Modern Family might not be the best example of parenting, but I do appreciate the humor.

If there’s anything I’ve learned in these first 3 months of being a Mama it’s to find the humor in being a parent. Yes, it’s a wonderful experience and a huge blessing, but sometime’s it’s hard and you just have to laugh your way through a tough day.

I remember the first week I was home solo with Merfbaby and we had one of those diaper changes. You know…the one where your one hand is full of baby feet, and the other is clutching a fresh diaper – index finger poised with Desitin when suddenly your entire forearm is coated in babypoo. HOW did that just happen? I remember standing there and just laughing so hard. I didn’t even know where to begin.

Cherish these early years of constant contact. Find the humor in the hard days. Soon enough they’ll be on the other side of the moon and you’ll be waiting for them to come around and think you’re a pretty cool Mama after all.

If not, I’m totally telling that story to his high school Prom date.

Family

Day 16 – Dear Merfbaby

October 16, 2013October 15, 2013 The Merfett

Dear Merfbaby,

I hope you don’t mind the name Merfbaby? I never really asked your opinion on the matter, just assumed it fit in well with the rest of the “Merf” family. You’re almost 3 months old, and you just keep growing. I’m starting to think you’ll be wearing toddler clothing before you’re 9 months old. It’s surprising, but not shocking that you’re a big boy, Merfman and I aren’t the smallest people in the world :)

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about your future. Like what kind of kid you’ll be. How your voice will sound when you start to talk. What foods will be your favorite. If you’ll like music or art or reading. I can’t wait for your first trip to the beach, or to take you to swim lessons. I know Merfman is so excited to introduce you to the desert and dirt-bikes.

A few weeks ago our community lost a group of teenagers in a terrible auto accident. I made my heart ache. Knowing you won’t be this little human forever. Someday you’ll be out with your friends, making your own decisions. It’s hard to even comprehend now, since I have to do everything for you. But, not for long. Soon you’ll be exploring the world around you, growing into the person you’ll be forever.

Having you makes me hope I didn’t put Grandma and Grandpa through the ringer too bad when I was younger. Overall I was a good kid, but I’m sure they still worried about me.

That quote…so much truth. I’m so excited for you to learn new things, but I know that which each new skill you’re moving closer to being your own person. Which is wonderful and scary for me. I just pray I can help teach you to be a kind, compassionate, brave Ordinary Radical.

Last night when I was laying on the floor with you while you practiced your tummy-time you started to fuss and protest. I explained that I know it seems hard right now, but you’re going to have to do a lot of things in life that aren’t easy. We have to keep doing them, that’s how we get better and grow.

Keep it up Merfbaby, I love you.

Family