Navigating the journey from toddlers to teens
Mornings in our house are far from calm. Three teens and a seven year old to get out the door on time requires a military operation approach which, quite frankly, I haven’t quite mastered yet despite doing it for years.
It was on one of these mornings, while helping my youngest with his shoelaces, that I was met with a poignant question. “Is it hard work being a Mummy?” he asked, as if my attempts to tie shoelaces were an Olympic feat. It caught me off guard, and I couldn’t help but wonder – did I accidentally let out a sigh? Roll my eyes? I felt a little sad. Hard work or not, I don’t want my children to see it that way.
I’ve always loved being a mother; it was practically written in the stars when my favourite Barbie had twin babies. Was she predicting my future with four children in tow, including twins? She was probably laughing at my naivety. No one with twin babies could possibly have hair and make up on point like Barbie did, so how did she have it all together?!
Well, she didn’t have it all together, and I think we all find this out the hard way. Lets face it, motherhood is a boiling pot of hard work, emotional ups and downs, and a daily balancing act. It’s like juggling – but with nappies, snacks, and homework books. Exhausting? Absolutely. Rewarding? Definitely. It’s the ultimate marathon – but the type you never trained for, and yet, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
So, how do we navigate this rollercoaster ride without losing our minds? Everyone’s journey is individual so it’s impossible to follow others paths but talking to and hearing other parents’ tales can help more than you realise. The least it can do is show you that you aren’t the only one mortified while you wrestle with your uncooperative toddler in the middle of John Lewis or have your monosyllabic teen tell you “God, you’re soooo old, you just don’t get it”.
In my search for some sort of balance and guidance as I entered the teenage territory, I have recently found myself obsessed with audio books, probably because I just don’t have the time to sit and read a book in peace – oh, how I miss that luxury! Some of the books I’ve stumbled upon through Audible have not only provided guidance, especially for the teen years, but also some much-needed comic relief and a feeling of ‘thank goodness I’m not the only one!’
All those gurgling, squidgy, delightful babies will one day be young adults. These young adults have minds of their own, some serious opinions on life and on the way you dress – cue the eye roll. “The Emotional Lives of Teenagers” by Lisa Damour is a crash course in surviving the emotional rollercoaster that is the pre-teen and teen phase. Trust me, this book is a lifesaver when you’re navigating the teen tornado. Lisa Damour is excellent fountain of knowledge, I’ve picked up so many gems here on communicating and understanding my teens better.
My absolute favourite book so far has to be “Mum, What’s Wrong With You” by Lorraine Candy – the title says it all. It’s like a backstage pass to the absurdity of motherhood, reminding me that I’m not alone in my chaotic journey. Some laugh out loud moments which we all need once in a while and although she writes about her teenage daughters, a lot can be applied to both boys and girls – I have two teenage sons and it all resonated with me.
So, is being a mother hard work? Absolutely, but it’s also a whirlwind of love, growth, and laughter. In the midst of lost shoes and screen time negotiations, it’s the little moments and challenges that make it all worthwhile. Motherhood isn’t just a job; it’s a hilarious, heart-warming adventure where you are constantly learning about these humans you created as well as learning about yourself. I tell myself all the time, there will be plenty of tough moments, sad moments and down right frustrating moments but the rewards far outweigh the struggles. Just keep the laughter going through the chaos – because in the end, it’s the giggles that make the journey unforgettable.
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