Happy birthday to our guy who keeps teaching us every day. Here are some things I’ve learned in 3 years of parenting: 1. We weren’t meant to do this alone. Caregivers and kids need and deserve support. Your support system may look different from what you imagined but it’s an essential part of doing this. 2. Becoming a parent can bring up a lot about how you were parented. Your child may be teaching you as you’re teaching them. There may be times when you’re learning the same idea at the same time. 3. You’ll get a lot of advice. You’re allowed to decide what aligns with you and what doesn’t. 4. You can control as much as possible and there will still be things you won’t have agency over. It will be both frustrating and an important reminder about surrendering. 5. You may have a newfound perspective on parents and caregivers in general, including the ones from your family of origin. This can be a powerful time to learn about their own stories. 6. It isn’t hard because you’re doing something wrong. It simply is hard. It is even harder without adequate parental leave policies, sick leave, and support for parents overall. We cannot work or hustle our way out of the systems we are in. 7. You may feel an entire spectrum of emotions every day and that is okay. Let’s normalize feeling many different things, despite what may be presented on social media or in other places. 8. Take as many videos as possible. 9. Give as much credit to your joy and wins as you do to your errors. Modeling is incredibly powerful and when you prioritize your joy, it creates a ripple effect in your home and environment. 10. Trust yourself. If your gut is telling you to do less or ignore someone’s words, that means something. If a space here brings up negative feelings, unfollow or mute. #parenting #parentingthoughts