The Past Always Comes Back

Our childhood has haunted us throughout our parenting. I am happy to say that we have worked through most of our issues and have come out stronger as parents and as individuals. However, the ghosts of the past do sneak up and try to throw us off track. It's hard to know what is healthy when you don't know what healthy is. Fortunately for us, we have made our decisions based on 1. common sense, and 2. with respect for everyone involved. When we had babies and toddlers, it seems like second nature for parenting. We were very attentive and loving. We had very little support for our young family. We were pretty much alone is raising our kids. Now, our kids are bigger and show disrespect, fight, and, seem unhappy about everything. I'm sure it's normal, but it's the ghosts of the past creep up and remind me of dysfunction within my own childhood family. On the flip side, our kids are funny, loving, and free spirited. They are close to each other, and spend lots of time together. I hope by the time we get through these teen and tween years, we will be more confident in our parenting. I'm sure we will. I have learned to reach out for help when I need it, and I can admit when I don't know what to do. Your kids don't get a certain age and then it's easier, your parenting skills have to change with them. I now fully embrace that parenting is hard work. It's wonderful, but at times can be overwhelming. We put a lot of energy and time into our kids. Maybe that is why I am so sensitive to their struggles. It's strange how when you start a family, your childhood plays out in front of you...