The Things I Have Seen — A Nanny’s Take.
There are so many parenting books stuffing the shelves of stores, unlimited options on Amazon, and on IG photo after photo of baby-wearing mamas, babies playing on iPads, and free-range babies laying in fields of flowers…
If there was one way to parent we would all be doing it. Then we would document it with our phones to share how quickly it worked — but that's not what I see, do you?
As a long time nanny, what I have seen is parents who do the best they can for their kids.
And to be honest, I also have seen:
Moms who are home and don't realize they'd be happier at work and moms who thrive at home.
I’ve seen parents choosing to work together and parents who resent one another because they don't talk.
I’ve seen moms driving around so their baby can get some sleep and others who’s baby sleeps blissfully through the night.
I’ve see houses that are a mess and houses that are eerily very neat.
I’ve seen sacrifice and exhaustion — and love and snuggles. ✨
But what I haven’t seen is a lot of care. parents actively caring for themselves.
The type of care that comes from real self-reflection and self-love.
The type of care that makes sitting in the middle of the chaos a breeze.
The type of care that helps you to see what your priorities are or what conversation you need to have with your spouse.
So although there isn't one way to parent - I believe there is one way towards greater happiness as a parent.
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It's choosing you first.
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It's the practice of daily gratitude.
It's the commitment to rewiring your brain from the negativity bias towards noticing the positive.
It’s the ability to let mistakes go, forgive yourself, and try again tomorrow.
This doesn't require you to change your parenting. It doesn't require you to change anything at all really.
It does, however, require you to start by saying:
I'm doing the best I can - and in fact, I'm a pretty damn good mom/dad/parent.
And then saying that to yourself about a million times a day ✨
