For The Parents

We are back! Here's a quick recap of everything that has been going on since we've been gone. There was another trip and some major life changes for our family's day to day life. We are super excited to continue this journey with you guys. It's not perfect, but it's ours, and we love it. 

Our little lovely firstborn baby doll went to sleep one night, and the next morning, he woke up already in his teen years and with all that sass and attitude that comes with it. We are completely here for it. Even if he does keep us on our toes. 

The dreaded binkie transition. Need we say more? 

We're sick! Again! Do you remember that it was a pretty rough discussion last time? But this time we are more level headed, and we are comparing our state of being now, with where we were then. 

Sam starts us off by delving into how we felt like our children experienced the trip while Jesse tries to get a tired 2 year old to PLEASE GO TO SLEEP. When he finally joins us, he divulges some insights into how his day as a stay at home parent went, as well as some epiphanies he has about being a stay at home parent versus being a working parent. 

Our first airplane trip with two little ones. It was the best of times and it was the worst of times. There was laughter, there were tears, there were blissful moments, and there was underboob sweat. We tell all. 

Something that we have learned in our life so far is that what counts more is the journey, not the destination. And we have noticed that we have been giving so much praise to our doves when they complete a project and come show us. "Oh! You did it!" "Good job!" What we don't do, is praise their journey, their effort that they put into their task. This kid of praise fosters creativity confidence in themselves, and just generally a better grasp at handling expectations, but ultimately, we want to help them understand that in life, as a whole, that it is not about getting to where you are going, it is how you get to where you are going. 

TW: talk of depression and suicide

The one where Sam goes to work and Jesse stays home with the children. How did it go? We talk very candidly and our conversation is truthful and raw. There is anger, there are tears, and in the end, there is laughter. It can be so hard to be vulnerable, but being a parent can feel so isolating, and hearing stories from others that might be going through something similar is so important. We are here. You are not alone. 

Time management is as ever changing as our children. We start off trying to figure out where the breakdown in communication happened during our dinner and bedtime. Then we jump right in to time. Some days go by so so fast and then other days feel like they just drag on and on and on, and then some days just get away from you! It is hard, at least for us, to manage our time and our routine when so many things seem like they are out of your control. We don't come up with a definitive '"right" answer, but we do come up with something that might work for our family. Only time will tell. Don't miss the absolutely hilariousness that ensued after Ollie helped Sam place an online grocery order. 

How we each feel about play times? Sam advocates for incorporating learning into our interactions, while Jesse feels like perhaps they should be more about going with the flow. There is no one right way, but we had such a lovely chat about things that we've experienced both together and independently. This episode is full of laughter as we continue to grow with each other through our parenting adventure.