Surviving Parenting Challenges: Remember, Everything Changes!

As parents, we often find ourselves in situations that test our patience and resilience. It's during these times that we need to remind ourselves of a simple, yet powerful mantra: Everything Changes.

Preschoolers, for instance, are known for their lack of integration. This means they can't simultaneously hold two thoughts or emotions. Love and hatred, for example, are felt intensely and without any room for middle ground. But here's the catch: integration doesn't stop developing once your child hits 5-7 years old. It's a lifelong process that varies in maturity depending on numerous factors, including our current emotional state, fatigue, and hunger.

There are times when we too, as adults, lose the ability to integrate our thoughts and emotions. During challenging times, we may find ourselves focusing only on the negatives, magnifying our problems, and losing sight of the positives. Suddenly, minor issues like your child's eating habits, your life's direction, or even your overdue dentist appointment seem overwhelmingly significant, adding to a sense of self-doubt and failure.

During these periods, it's crucial to remember that it's just a phase and it will pass. You've been through tough times before and emerged stronger. Use these past experiences to remind yourself of the light at the end of the tunnel.

It's also important to acknowledge your emotions and not dismiss them as insignificant. Feeling disappointment, fatigue, or sadness is perfectly normal. But remember, these feelings are temporary. The light at the end of the tunnel is a testament to the fact that better days are ahead.

Remember, everything changes. This simple mantra can make navigating the challenges of parenting a little easier.