As we sat at breakfast this morning next to a family with two little girls, a baby and a toddler, I was reminded of how much work young children are. Their physical needs are constant and immediate, and it feels like they are never-ending. Often, when you talk to the parents of young children they ask you point-blank: “When does it get easier?”
I’ve pondered this question for a long time, and I have finally come up with the answer. Brace yourselves parents of young children, this may not be what you want to hear, but it is the truth: It doesn’t get easier. The challenges just change.
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Teenagers have immediate and constant needs just like babies and toddlers. Their needs are just different. And usually, they involve much bigger problems that are harder to fix. Sometimes, I long for the days when a pacifier or a Band-Aid was the answer.
We’ve been at the beach recently with our daughter and her friends. So far, we’ve dealt with severe sunburn (teenagers will not apply sunblock without being told), a lost phone (in the water that led to a ocean floor grid search by multiple adults), a runaway wave runner (a whole story in itself for another day), a mountain of laundry (they never just use one towel), and much more that I can’t get into a simple blog.
But the point is, even when they are “independent” and can technically take care of themselves, they still rely on their parents for many things, especially crisis management.
So, parents of young children, don’t be deceived as you see me sipping my coffee calmly next to you at breakfast. I am just channeling my inner Zen and trying to enjoy a single solemn moment before I am called into battle again.
Amanda is the mom of two, a reporter for WRAL-TV and the author of several books including some on motherhood. Find her here on Mondays.