When does parenting start?
The question of when it begins is interesting, and there are many different answers depending on whom you ask. According to experts, it starts when parents get involved in decision-making and preparing for parenthood.
Others believe that it doesn’t truly begin until after childbirth takes place.
But, no matter what time frame you decide on, there are some universal truths about being a parent that can help make your job easier.
When does parenting get easier? Here is my guide, including some tips and tricks.
Parenting Can Be A Tough Job (At First!)
Parenting can be challenging, but it gets easier over time. It is a fact of life, and it’s something that most people don’t realize before they have kids.
Being an adult entails responsibilities, but being a parent may be twice as difficult.
You are obligated to ensure that your children survive while instructing them how to live independently. It may seem impossible at first, but there are many ways to make it easier.
Parenthood is emotionally and intellectually exhausting and frequently necessitates personal sacrifice and significant financial strain.
It is not for the faint of heart.
But, if you are willing and able to tackle all that parenthood has in store for you, on your own or with another adult partner, then when will parenting get easier?
When Does Parenting Get Easier?
The truth is that as you go through your journey as a parent, your challenges change. Some become more difficult, some easier.
For instance, when you have a baby, the most challenging thing is not being able to tell you what is wrong.
With a toddler, they can communicate more, but they are also pint-sized dictators and need to be watched as they lurch from one dangerous situation to another.
Then they hit school age – and you worry about them being at school all day. Are they getting on ok? Are they being treated well? Have they hurt themselves? It’s a nightmare. They are also embedding themselves in life, which means they start to push back on your ideas of how life should be.
As they approach 8, 9, 10, and 11, it becomes easier, at least it has for me! This is the golden age where they still like you and are happier to comply a bit more. This is only true if you provide reasoning behind your requests. Support them as schooling gets tougher.
Then come the teenage years. As soon as they hit 13, they suddenly become much more intelligent than you (that’s sarcasm, by the way). You don’t know anything and are too old to be useful. Hormone fuelled arguments engulf the house. You can only try to be as open as you can with them, treat them like an adult, and keep your head down until they leave home.
Then, once they have left home, you miss them terribly and constantly worry about their welfare.
Accepting Help from Others: Partners, Friends, or Family
One of the best ways to make parenting easier is to get help from others.
Help can come in many forms, such as receiving support from your partner, friends, or family members.
Ask for their assistance if you have willing and able people to help. It may help you relieve some of the responsibilities off your shoulders, which makes parenting a little less stressful.
Supportive Partner
A supportive partner can do a lot to help you out. If your partner has the same value system you have, they will be willing to support and respect parenting decisions.
A loving partnership with another adult can go a long way in making parenting easier.
On the other hand, having a partner who undermines your parenting can cause conflict!
Friends
Friends are also a great resource when it comes to parenting, these are people you can rely on for emotional support and practical help.
If your child is sick, for example, they may be able to watch them for you so that you can take a break and get some rest.
Friends can also provide helpful advice and resources regarding more difficult parenting tasks, such as disciplining your children.
Family Members
Of course, this includes siblings of all kinds and grandparents, too!
Many parents find that their family members are some of the most helpful in taking care of their kids or giving them extra support when they need it.
They may not always live nearby, but they will still love and support you in all you do as an adult and a parent.
Different resources are also available to parents, such as books, websites, classes, and support groups. If you find that you are struggling with something specific regarding parenting, then reach out for help. There is likely someone who can provide you with the advice and assistance you need.
Take Care of Yourself
The best way to make parenting easier is, of course, to take care of yourself! Taking care of yourself is not selfish. It means doing the following self-care tips:
- Eating healthy meals
- Getting plenty of sleep
- Exercising regularly
If you aren’t caring for your body, it will be harder to care for your children.
There are no shortcuts when it comes to parenting. To give more to your family, you must take good care of yourself. If your children receive the attention and care they need, they may learn how to be better parents to their children one day.
Parenting is a Team Effort
It takes a team effort to be able to parent well. It can mean different things depending on your circumstances, such as whether you are single or not and how many children you have. However, the more people are invested in parenting responsibilities, the better it is for everyone involved.
One of the easiest ways this happens is with teamwork in the household. Having a partner or spouse helps to work as a team when parenting your children. When everybody is on board with what they need to do without unnecessary stress and conflict, this can help make parenting easier for everyone.
If you are single, try reaching out to others who may help you. It can include friends, family members, or other parents who are in a similar situation as you are.
Parenting is hard work, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things we can do. With a little bit of teamwork and reaching out for help when you need it, parenting becomes more manageable.
Conclusion
It’s not about how difficult or easy parenting is; it’s about learning to sail through the challenges. Parenting is a rewarding experience. It’s also important to remember that it is a team effort. There are many ways to make it easier, depending on your circumstances.
The most important thing is to do whatever works for you and your family because it’s all about them. Taking care of yourself is one of the most crucial things you can do as a parent. Children learn how to function well when they are cared for by parents who are happy and healthy, which makes parenting easier.
Good luck!
