Weekly Column: Everything Changes

One of the hardest parts for me about new motherhood was the lack of control. I knew what I needed the baby to do in order for us both to be happy and well rested, but actually getting her to DO it, was another story. Can you imagine the nerve of my baby – having a mind of her own?!

Even worse though, was the way I’d feel like we’d gotten into the hang of things, only for them to change again. The baby was finally taking naps in her own crib? She’d start teething and naps would become miserable. The baby was sleeping through the night? She’d hit a growth spurt and need a midnight snack. The baby was easing into solid foods? She’d get sick and refuse anything but liquid gold. The starts and stops of parenting were so confusing that I was sure we’d never settle into a comfort zone. How would I ever learn how to do this if the rules kept changing?

But I did learn, as we all do. We have to stop waiting for the moment when we’re finally in control, and instead, allow ourselves simply to see what each new day brings. The best we can do in mothering our babies is to keep in mind that the shape of the land is constantly shifting, and to hold on tight, enjoying even ground whenever it comes.

For us, even ground is still not a place on which we rest for long, but it’s becoming a more frequent layover as my girls have grown out of babyhood. The stops and starts aren’t so swift anymore; the lay of the land is becoming more plain to us. We can embrace change optimistically.

I just hope I can say the same when we reach junior high.