Expectations Vs. Reality When It Comes To Parenting
Expectations Vs. Reality When It Comes To Parenting | Outfit Details
Top: Liam & Co (similar) // Leggings: Spanx // Boots: Steve Madden (old, similar) // Diaper Bag: Freshly Picked // Necklace: Kendra Scott (Necklace, Tassel Charm, Ring Charm, Spike Charm ) // Earrings: Kendra Scott // Bracelets: Kendra Scott // Bracelet: Kendra Scott // Bracelet: Kendra Scott // Watch: Arvo Wear // Jackie's Dress: Nordstrom (similar) // Jackie's Leggings: Hanna Andersson // Jackie's Bows: Golden Dot Lane // Jackie's Shoes: Freshly Picked
Expectations Vs. Reality When It Comes To Parenting | Parenting
Parenting is easy with a tiny baby. They don't talk back, they can't run away. You don't have to worry about them hurting themselves. It is truly easy. Yes, there are late nights and there is screaming and you have to learn what your baby is asking for when they don't even know what words are. But it is nothing in comparison to when they start moving, talking and developing a personality. And from what I hear, it only gets harder as they get older. The thing is, we all judge other people's parenting. We have no idea what is going on behind the scenes in their world. We don't know what issues their kids have. Which is why I am sharing my expectations vs. reality when it comes to parenting.
Expectations Vs. Reality When It Comes To Parenting | Expectations
It was going to be easy (wow I had no idea!). I have been watching kids since I was old enough to stay home alone with them. I could change diapers, make a bottle, do all of the things a baby needed. Jackie was an EASY baby. She made parenting look easy. We were lucky. I knew the other shoe would drop soon but I didn't know when. I expected that Jackie would be like other 18 month olds. She would fall asleep on me when we were out during nap time. She wouldn't sleep very well. I could feed her all sorts of food and take her to fun activities. We wouldn't use screens. Everything would be all smiles and rainbows.
Expectations Vs. Reality When It Comes To Parenting | Reality
Oh, was I wrong.
The Husband calls her Jackiezilla. My grandmother calls her the Dump Truck. I call her a Hurricane. She has a mind of her own and has no intention of doing what you want her to unless it goes along with what she wants to do. At this age, most 18 month olds are into dolls and playing mom. Jackie is literally climbing every piece of furniture, trying to open the fridge & dishwasher, taking apart every toy and trying to get out of any space she has been put into. I love all of that about her. She is her own person. She is determined and persistent. You can tell from these pictures how most days go. We start off giggles and hugs and we descend into dirt and waving around lawn signs.
Expectations Vs. Reality When It Comes To Parenting | What I Am Doing To Change My Expectations
So I decided to just start going with it. Obviously, we still have boundaries and Jackie isn't allowed to doing anything dangerous, but I let her run around with muddy signs to her hearts content. I have Jackie proofed our house until there isn't much else out for her to get into. But she has free reign of our apartment now. She has specific things she can get into that make her think that she is playing with something she shouldn't. We run around a lot. We go to playgrounds.
Since the reality didn't meet my expectations, I changed my expectations. I know Jackie isn't going to take a nap unless certain conditions are met. So I just don't expect a nap. I know which things keep her entertained and which things bother her. If we go out to dinner, I bring toys and an iPad so she doesn't try to destroy the restaurant. She is currently eating 4 foods so I make sure I have one of them on hand or I feed her one of them before we go anywhere.
Expectations Vs. Reality When It Comes To Parenting | Shop The Post
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