Parenthood is rough there is no doubt about that. Everyone will tell you “its hard but to enjoy the moment because they grow up so fast”. But no one actually wants to hear that when they are in the thick of it. There are ways to find joy in the journey though and here are some of the ways to do it.
So how exactly do you find joy in the journey of parenthood?
It can be difficult especially if you are tackling the “terrible two” phase or the “F-U Fours”. It is hard to find the joy in those moments of wanting to pull your hair out.
There is no “easy way” to parent. There is no miraculous way to get your kid to “get over it”. There is just getting through it.
But there are hacks and ways through the hard parts of parenthood.
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Play with Them
Instead of sitting back and watching them literally grow up before your eyes, get down on the floor and play.
Bring out your inner child. Get down and dirty with them and watch their eyes light up! Watch how much joy you get from playing with them instead of watching them.
Even doing a task together like creating art or a craft can bring joy also. Cratejoy can help with coming up with what exactly to create by using their subscription boxes that come with all the supplies you’ll need.
This takes the guess work out of coming up with something to do together.
Take a Look Back
Ever get so frustrated with you kid that you just lose it then feel awful afterwards? Mama we’ve all been there!
When you are frustrated in whatever phase of life you are going through with you kiddo, take out your phone and look through old photos of them as babies.
Or even bust out the photo albums and go down memory lane when they were first born or when they were in the cutest phase.
This will change your whole mood and put things into perspective. You will look at that sweet baby face, or remember how you felt when they were first born and all those frustrations will melt away.
It’s hard to stay frustrated and angry when you are looking at past cuteness. It will remind you of that joy you felt at that given time and those feelings will come running back!
Plan the Future
Another way to find joy in the journey is daydreaming and thinking about the future.
Think of the things you’ll do when they get older, plan the adventures you will go on.
This will create happiness and joy, planning the future and coming up with fun ways to create those long-lasting memories.
Be Goofy Together
Have you ever tried to stay mad when you kiddo does something completely hilarious or adorable? Those frustrations melt away if only for a moment right?
Well why not create that joy when you’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated?
Make silly faces with you kid, blow bubbles, run around in circles with them, dance a silly dance, etc. Be silly with them and find the joy in just being silly together. Bonus: they will love you being silly with them too!
Remember Your Childhood
Reminiscing on your own childhood can also bring joy to parenthood.
Think of the things you loved about your own childhood and implement those things (if you can, times have changed) in your child’s childhood too!
Explain to your child how you used to do XYZ when you were little. They will love to hear that you, too, were also a kid and they will love the simple blissful childhood that we once had.
Sometimes the simplest things bring the most joy.
Hopefully these ideas help give you some new ways to get out of your funk and start to find joy in the journey again!
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