Always Learning

As I close in on my one year mark as being a parent (coming up in March!) to a healthy little (by little I really mean very big) baby boy, I have been reflecting on what I've learned this year. I've decided to write a few things down.

Sleep is a luxury. I didn't figure this one out until several months into parenthood. I was lucky those early months. Now is a different story... a way different story. I'll save that for another post.

Toys and clothes are not important. I would have imagined in my pre-parenthood mind that buying all the latest toys and the cutest clothes would be high on my list. Boy was I wrong. Babies hardly care about toys. Tonight Mason spent 30 minutes climbing on top of a diaper box while wearing hand-me down pajamas. I've come to realize FREE clothes and unintentional toys are the best kind.

Children require a LOT of parenting to be well behaved. I'm pretty sure that I had imagined my child being extremely well behaved naturally. I mean, c'mon, I spend 40 hours a week working on behavior problems in other people's children. I never really considered the fact that I'd have to remain 2 cm in proximity from my child while he plays with other babies to ensure that he does not pull someone's hair or throw toys at them. I also didn't think I'd ever have little tiny teeth imprints on my arm from my child. Go figure

Recently a friend told me that parenthood is a crazy, wonderful experience. I think she is very right. This kid keeps me on my toes!