I used to think diapers, bottles and preschool were tough. These days I’m thinking a few diaper changes and some Elmo songs would be great. I have three wonderful children ages: 14, 12 and 9 and I think I am working at this parenting thing more than ever.

This is not to say those diaper cream and bottle washing days are not challenging, they are, I have lived them. But now, we have entered a more mature stage. A stage with children who have opinions, deep feelings and situations the require time and conversation. A stage that does not require as many physical tasks; but tasks of the mind. Tasks that come up on a moment’s notice, demanding patience, endless support and love.

I’d like to think I am evolving as a person/wife/parent/etc. I am a “recovering perfectionist” (phrase from Brene Brown), who loves a good plan A and being flexible can be a challenge –I work at it EVERYDAY. Am I self aware enough to recognize when things are getting messy and I am getting messy too? Well……. sometimes.

My point to all this is, being a parent of three school aged (high, middle and elementary) children is joyful, and more challenging then I could have imagined; but I would not want it any other way!! From the challenging moments arises clarity, new ways of doing things, respect for differences, patience, acceptance and that deep sense of love.

This is just thoughts on a growing and evolving family; it is never dull and always an adventure. I want to get more comfortable with the fact that I will not know all the answers, I will make lots of parenting mistakes and my children will grow from me being an authentic parent.

Here is a quote ponder:

"While you many believe your most important challenge is to raise your children well, there's an even more essential task you need to attend to, which is the foundation of effective parenting. This task is to raise yourself into the most awakened and present individual you can be. The reason this is central to good parenting is that children don’t need our ideas and expectations, or our dominance and control, only for us to be attuned to them with our engaged presence."(The Conscious Parent, Shefali Tsabary, PhD – page 10)