So today, Maia’s birthday (September 26) until Migo’s birthday (October 26), let me share with you this family life state called “Parenthood!” The progress (not the perfection), the purpose (behind the pains) it brings us! As I continue my #GratefulandPurposeful@40, journey with me in the milestones, moments and musings that Parenthood brings! And that is to be purposeful parents, progressing despite imperfections, and align with Jesus’ #FamilyGoals for us! Let is work on the little goals we have in making our family life good to great!
Goal 1: Never Compare Your Children! Accept and Love them for their Uniqueness
“Parenthood (or motherhood) starts when you are a mom of two!” Check na check yan! Di talaga madali na ganun lang! Especially that I was intent and hands on! It’s a challenge one after another! From pregnancy, to giving birth, to sleepless nights, breastfeeding, running after a toddler, nursery rhymes and bedtime story na nauna pa kami makatulog! Then now, having an 8 and a soon to be 11, may assertiveness challenge, may independence training, may self-worth building, and may friendship and peer issue management. And then load it up pa ng poems na ikakabisa, multiplication table, school work, sports training, Wimpy Kid, gadget time, at mg ayeeeh, crushes! Andami pa, nasa 1/4 pa lang kami ng Parenthood!
And yes, parenthood is different to one, but extra challenging to two! And one thing I learned early on was not to compare my two kids. Yes, iba silang dalawa! They came from us, but they are uniquely their own persons. What worked for Migo does not apply to Maia! So it was re-testing theories and re-doing ways of raising them. From then until now, they are growing so differently! There are challenges here and there, but I am smiling as I write. Because the challenge will always be there, but the stage of where my kids are will be different!
Carry talaga namin dati na si Migo lang! All my learnings in Developmental Psychology and baby milestones, and all, what the book said – noted with Migo! When they became two, and I was full-time working, and we’re shuffling to and fro work, childcare of the kids with my mom (in the next town) and back home… plus, plus, plus… realizing that the second baby is not like the brother and she has her own sets of milestones that is not actually by the book! Oh my! San ko lalagay sarili ko? And cheers to me for braving the leap of faith and giving up my full time work to raise these two in the way we know best. Despite the financial challenge, I will never replace that stage in our lives when we lived in faith, and I was a mom of two caring for my tots.
I believe that these imperfections makes the family life sweeter and better! There is a purpose behind all what happened! God is there in the purpose, in our progress and in our state of life called parenthood! Let us cheer each other on and share this virtual support for all else tucked in the package of Parenthood!
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