I’m learning so much along with my kids, but I’m not talking about the classroom classics such as math, English and history. I’m learning less tangible and, I would argue, much more valuable things about life and about myself.
One of the biggest revelations has been about love. While expecting my second child, I was wrecked with the worry that I would not love him or her. I love my first son so much, so how could I possibly love another? I worried so much about the baby I was carrying coming into the world without a mother’s love. My husband tried to reassure me that love is not a finite entity which must be divided each time another person comes into your life, but is something that grows and expands. He was right, of course, but I did not realize how much until our second son came into the world and I fell utterly and completely in love once again.
As my sons grow and face some of the everyday challenges life throws our way, I am trying hard to help them learn how to resolve conflicts and deal with stressful situations. However, I am also discovering that these same techniques assist me in my own relationships, both personal and professional. I recently attended a Public Health seminar series titled Kids Have Stress Too, and I learned just as much about handling my own stress as helping my boys manage theirs!
On a more lighthearted note, there’s nothing like a child’s view of the world to provide perspective and make you laugh (mostly at yourself) in the middle of a crazy day. How proud I was to discover that my six year-old knows how to spell both but and butt correctly! What a joy to sing Puff the Magic Dragon at the top of your lungs in the car with a three-year old.
As an only child and as someone who had virtually nothing to do with children until I had my own in my mid-thirties, I cannot now imagine missing out on these and so many other wondrous, surprising and enriching lessons on life, that being a mother brings.
This post was contributed by Katie, an urbanmoms.ca member and mother of two boys. Please share your comments below. If you would like to share a story we would love to hear from you! Please send your article to email@urbanmoms.ca.
Hi Katie,
I am an only child as well (now 31years young). My first child was born almost 4 years ago. I became pregnant with my second while my first was only 5 months old. GUILTY. That’s all I felt, up until my second was about 15 months old. I felt guilty that I didn’t have more time with the first. I felt guilty that I didn’t have alone time with the second.
My husband had to reassure me that things would change (he’s middle of 3). They did change and still are changing.
Now my kids will be 3 and 4, they have definately kept me on my toes, but atleast we are sharing their experiences together at the same time because now, at this age, they are virtually the same age.
It’s all fun and hectic and emotional at the same time.
Wow I never thought I would be saying these things, I guess things are starting to get easier, or at least different.
thanks for your article.
from: Chantal