Milestones…Oh my word, ya’ll! The struggles are real! Notice that I pluralized the saying? Well, I did because when it comes to our children and the grody “milestone” comparison verbiage the list can seem endless and exhausting. And, ya’ll, it begins with conception! Yes, I said in the womb! The doctors are already measuring the baby bump and they continue to measure the baby, then toddler, then child for many moons to come. It’s literally a comparison list of expectations taken from a generalization of your child’s (baby’s, infant’s, fetus’) peers (all born in the same year). How are they measuring? What do they weigh? How is their progression? Are they sitting, crawling, walking, talking, etc? It’s the Keeping Up With The Jones’ and most of the time we don’t even recognize it as such. Our suggestions? Listen to your mommy instinct (or daddy instinct), but don’t allow unhealthy thoughts in with it. No second guessing and wondering if you should have said or done more…sooner…blah blah blah. Realize that there are times that as the parent you can only do so much, then it’s in the Creator’s hands, or even the doctor’s hands. Have your tribe and be transparent with them. When it gets hard, find your balance–bring yourself back to your good space, safe place–however and in whatever way–make it happen. And if you have schedules that work, by all means share them with us… or just give us grace… because none of us have seemed to keep a schedule alive and thriving in our households! Let’s stop the madness, change our perspective, and love these kiddos right where they are.
