Pace yourself, take care of yourself, enjoy the moment, and you can have a great run.
Parenting is more of a marathon than a sprint. I am half qualified to write this because I am half-way there training for a ½ marathon, and a little less than half-way when it comes to the amount of time my kids will be in my home.
We sign up for this race. Once that child comes into our lives, we commit to love and care for it. The beginning can be hard. It’s a transition to get started. I’m sore. I’m tired. Why did I sign up for this?!?
Then you start getting into the groove. The baby is sleeping a little more and he is more interactive. The training is going smoothly. Here comes a big hill…TODDLERHOOD! Am I ever going to get over this hill? It’s time to re-adjust the stride. This hill is BUMPY! It’s time to slow down and gain composure. The hill requires a new pace and a new stride—slow and steady, taking care of yourself and your child. Don't forget to enjoy the scenery. The kid is the cutest thing, and it's so fun to watch him soak in all he is learning.
How’s your performance? Are you bogged down by the aches and pains, or are you able to enjoy and optimize the process? The aches and pains point to where we need to make changes or ease up a bit. You’ve made it up the toddlerhood hill and continue to run into some bumps in the road. Sometimes it’s time to slow down for a water break and get help from those on the sidelines.
When running smoothly and keeping a good pace, you remember why you signed up for this. You’re enjoying the fun times with the children, and taking moments to enjoy the run. You’re teaching and loving the children and enjoying sweet moments. You’ve hit your stride.
Sometimes it’s time to focus on self-improvement. How’s the running form? Is your parenting style working for you? Sometimes the pace is a little off. The posture and positioning is a little off kilter—time to evaluate. Remember your vision for your children. Don't lose sight of what you are doing.
Mile 20—THE TEEN YEARS. You need to stay in the race just as much now as ever. It requires all the energy it took to get over that first big hill during toddlerhood. Four more years… six more miles… to make the most out of this experience that so much effort has been put into.
Many people who make it through 26 miles and 18 years want more. They sign up for more marathons. They are anxious for the grandkids to come. Either way, the time does pass, make the most of it.
