I know that almost every parent I know is tired. I also know that my oldest daughter just turned 19 and I wonder where the years went. And you’re probably experiencing the same thing, aren’t you? My daughter is now taller than me, as is her 16-year-old younger brother. They are visual reminders every day of how much my children are growing and how short the years are.
So what makes the days so long for us parents? Well, from the very beginning, our newborn babies wake up every three hours crying because they want to eat and then they need a diaper change. This pattern of behavior is very hard on us new parents. We are always tired. Being a parent is a 24 hour job. I have a 19 year old daughter and I can honestly say that I have had 19 years of interrupted sleep. It is a never-ending job of supervising and worrying about my children.
The years are short due to the naturally high level of activity that comes with being a parent. When we’re overwhelmed, as we always are as parents, time flies by. And when time passes, it soon adds to the years that pass too quickly. Many times this causes a feeling of nostalgia as we wonder where all the years have gone. Hopefully though, it’s just a mild feeling of nostalgia, and not feelings of regret.
So what is our best course of action in dealing with all these long days and short years? Well, the first would be to never give up. Never give up. Never throw in the parenting towel because, as my grandmother used to say, “This too shall pass.” And it will absolutely pass, whether we want it to or not… and then we will miss it…
Now, as my grandfather always said, “Go learn, lead, and pave the way to a better world for all of us.” Remember that while the days are long; the years are short. And once again parents, thank you in advance for all you do and will do…