You know what is demanding and exhausting?
Parenting is.
Not in some whiny way that you wish for a different life.
Not in some childish way that puts yourself first.
Parenting is hard because being a human is hard. (Most things worth doing are hard, if you want to know the truth.)
See, every single step along this path of life has it’s beauty – and it’s difficulty.
Maybe we give ourselves a break, do the best that we can, and ask forgiveness for everything we mess up in between.
I certainly will not get it all right.
But I am going to keep showing up.
One final thought: Let’s not cast ourselves in roles either—good parent, bad parent, permissive parent, authoritarian parent. Let’s start thinking of ourselves as human beings first, with great potential for growth and change. The process of living or working with children is demanding and exhausting. It requires heart, intelligence, and stamina. When we don’t live up to our own expectations—and we won’t always—let’s be as kind to ourselves as we are to our youngsters. If our children deserve a thousand chances, and then one more, let’s give ourselves a thousand chances—and then two more.
-Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk (Amazon)