As I alluded to earlier this week, I was having trouble finding my footing with all the new roles presented to me as of late. Sometimes it feels like just when I get this parenting gig down, it changes and I am at square one.
I love to play computer games. I used to be an online gamer (when I had oodles and oodles of time) and still consider myself a gamer at heart. To keep a game fresh, developers are constantly adding extensions, different levels and patching the game to make it more challenging.
On Monday, as I helped my sick kids through the day, I couldn’t help comparing parenting to a game.
When we had Becca, every milestone, every growth spurt was documented, celebrated and was a new challenge. We became champions of level one, then moved onto the next level. Total newbies to having two children we had to work through the stages.
It is easy to forget how hard those stages are at the beginning. You look at the level you are at and feel like you were Master Mom, highest level of wizard for like, ever. In reality, we work towards that comfort zone.
This summer I became the mother to three gorgeous kids. At first it didn’t feel like that big of a jump, then my oldest started school a mere month later. My head was spinning. However I got up each morning prepared three children, walked to school and accomplished that levels goals.
Last week, I feel like it all came crashing down upon me. Far from mastering this new level, the game changed adding a new challenge. I know I am a tad spoiled, but my kids rarely get hard core sick. Sure we suffer with colds, for what seems the entire winter, but that is nothing compared to really being sick.
I felt like being a mother of three was built upon a house of cards, the illness was the last card my mothering could hold up. It all came crashing down.
I am fortunate that my parenting game is a two player, although the majority of this gig is on me. Much more now than ever before. I find that very overwhelming at times, especially being so isolated here.
So as I work through these new challenges, I wonder what rewards are on this ever changing level. I get to witness Becca find her groove with school, enjoy Ethan’s ever expanding vocabulary and watch Cordelia grow, becoming more and more aware of her surroundings.
I obviously have way too much time to think of all these analogies to say, Parenting is a tough gig, ever changing, yet so rewarding.
Are the master of your level of parenting or a newbie trying to figure out when you leveled up to this new craziness?
A Canadian mom with three cute kids. This blog chronicles our lives my creative pursuits. 
The early years are more about quick level-jumping; once they’re all in elementary school and beyond, you’ll find that each level lasts longer–still with challenges, but more complex ones that take longer to unravel. Each level brings greater joys.
Maybe last week’s level was a reminder to appreciate that health meter when it’s high.
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This week I find myself with public school envy. How nice not to be so involved all the time.Sometimes, I just don’t want to know. The old, ignorance is bliss. Maybe that pain in between my shoulder blades would go away. Will vacation never come?
Did that even answer the question?
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Oh, I am in no way an expert on any level of parenting. I’m still just stumbling along, doing my best, and hoping for the best. Although I’ve rarely been truly disappointed, I have been, and still am at times, quite overwhelmed. I do think it gets easier as they get older in the sense of being able to weather the changes and jump over the stumbling blocks a little better.
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I know I had the same feelings when I had my second child. I fully expect to feel the same way you do very soon
Chantal´s last blog ..Grandad
I Love the comparison you’ve made here. I don’t think we will ever finish this game! It’s one step at a time, one level – and some will be harder to achieve than others! But along the way, we will collect bonus points and one day we will be able to share our hindsight with our kids – I’m hopeful that they will be about to begin a few levels ahead of where I started in all this!
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Each level throws out its own challenges…and much like playing computer games, some days I really rock it and level up quickly, other days I can hardly score any points at all.
Heather´s last blog ..Parking Lot Poem
I think you’ve made a great analogy to parenting and computer games! You’re not the only one who has crashed and burned and had to start over on the same level
It happens to all of us. I hope this week is much better for you and the kids and that everyone is feeling well!
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