Dear Fellow Parents,
I want to extend my sincerest apologies.
For every moment I uttered, “Little kids, little problems; big kids, big problems.” For each time I reassured a parent anxiously awaiting their baby’s first crawl, saying, “It’s tougher when they start moving around.” For every time I told a parent who was eager to hear their child speak, “I wish I didn’t have to listen to ‘Mom-Mom-Mom’ all day long.” For those moments when I dismissed a sleep-deprived parent’s woes by saying, “Just wait until they can climb out of their toddler bed.” For every instance when I told a potty-training parent, “I’d trade this for diapers any day.” For the kindergarten parent whose child was clinging to them, when I said, “I wish my problems were as easy as just needing a nap.” Each time I unintentionally downplayed another’s struggles, I’m truly sorry.
Because that’s not how support should work.
This photo of my son, Oliver, taken when he was just one month old, reminds me how small he was. The challenges we faced during that time felt monumental. Each time someone warned me that things would only become more difficult, a tiny part of me felt crushed.
I remember a recent conversation with some friends where one of them opened up about their struggles. We nodded in understanding, shared our own experiences, offered helpful tips, and reassured her that things would eventually get better. That’s what genuine support looks like.
A Humble Request
With that in mind, I have a humble request. Let’s put an end to the “little kids, little problems; big kids, big problems” mindset. Let’s stop minimizing one another’s parenting challenges simply because we have conquered those phases ourselves. We shouldn’t have to compete with each other’s hard stories. And for goodness’ sake, let’s not tell those who are facing tough times that they’re handling it all wrong—because just moving forward through the difficulties is often a challenge.
Parenting is undeniably tough. While it’s filled with wonderful moments, it can also be incredibly overwhelming. Some days feel like a whirlwind of chaos, and other days, it’s literally a mess. So let’s support one another through the storms. Let’s listen, uplift, and truly help each other out.
I have navigated the world of little ones, from those tiny days captured in this photo to the bigger challenges that come with older kids. Soon, they will be teenagers and eventually adults. While I can’t predict what’s ahead, I can say that what might seem like a small problem to one parent can feel enormous to another. Because what is hard for one person may not be the same for someone else; it’s all relative.
So whether your kids are little or big, I wish you a day filled with joy and minimal struggles.
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In summary, let’s be there for each other in this parenting journey, recognizing that every stage holds its own challenges. Let’s cherish the good moments while supporting one another through the tough times.