Any Transition In Parenting Is the Hardest Transition
As a mom of four girls, I am constantly asked by people expecting a new baby, the question of "which transition was the toughest?". My answer is always the same....every single one!
For those who are new readers or don't know my story, here's a little background. I met my husband when my oldest was 2 months old. We fell in love FAST and we got married just 11 months after meeting.
When I went from having no kids to being a brand new mom, a single mom at the time, I thought the world was ending! I was overwhelmed with the constant night time wake ups, finding the perfect bottle temperature that was warm enough to soothe but not hot enough to burn their mouth, picking the right diaper brand or size so it would at least slow down the constant blowouts, being unsure if they're getting enough to eat, or even sleeping the correct way in the dang crib. Honestly, the only thing I did know was that navigating life with this new tiny little human being, one that I am now responsible for, was incredibly difficult! I thought for sure this was the most daunting transition of parenthood.
Then came baby number 2. This was mine and my husbands first brand new baby experience.....together. I now had an ally in this thing, it had to be easier, right? Wrong! I now just had someone to take out my sleep deprivation anger out on. As for the whole 2 babies under one household thing, my gosh! We may have had man to man defense, but there were now two kids crying at me, and typically at the same time. I had to manage to feed the baby while simultaneously feeding the toddler. I had to figure out two completely different nap schedules, which in turn caused me to become quite the hermit for awhile. Like see you in a few years world!
By the time you have got it all figured out, here comes baby number 3. You are now officially outnumbered and dying at this point. You now have 3 mouths to feed, 3 crying kids, and 3 nap schedules. Just kidding, I'd be lying if I said you have all 3 napping still. One or two have now come off the nap train and mama has absolutely no time to shower other than at 2am or time get dishes done without whining kids pulling on your legs. Bedtime schedule becomes at least an hour task with all of their strange requests of things like water...which is odd only because you have yet to see them drink water willingly throughout the day. Then there are the requests such as thousands of bedtime stories, or needing to go potty again....warning! This basically just means they wanna secretly go play with the water and soap in the sink to create a mountain of bubbles.
Three was getting easier. I got it all down, then I had a fourth. Getting in and out of the car at this point is basically half your day. If there is ever a way I can go somewhere without needing to drive, I'm all for that! Getting four kids out of the house is pretty much a form of torture. I mean, it is difficult enough to get one child to put their dang shoes on. Me attempting to leave the house is a series of me yelling...put your shoes on...put your coat on...stop hitting your sister...no you are not sitting in the stroller, you are not the baby. You can assume at any point of the day you will have to break up a fight between at least two of them. And if it is silent even for one second, you should know that whatever is coming next is going to make you lose your mind.
So yes, all transitions are tough! My life is no harder than anyone else's because they have less children than me. Life with kids is rewarding though, no matter how little or how many you have, and despite the chaos that surrounds it! Those little terrors come with a huge amount of love and joy that is irreplaceable!!!
