You are enough

Why It’s OK Not to Enjoy Every Minute

Everyone tells you that Christmas with young children is the most magical time of your life: and they’re (mostly) right – it really is.

What fewer people are willing to tell you, however, is that, wonderful though it may be, Christmas – and the holidays in general – can also be one of those times when you most miss your old life.

It’s not that you want to go back to it.

It’s not that you don’t appreciate what you have now.

It’s just that, when you have children, everything changes: and things like Christmas and New Year… well, those are the things that change most of all. Some of the changes are good ones, obviously (OBVIOUSLY). Other changes, though, are the kind that see you back home early on Christmas day, knowing you’ve had a lovely time, but secretly wishing it could’ve lasted just a little bit longer – like it did back in the days when you didn’t have a cranky toddler in desperate need of some sleep.

People don’t tend to talk about this aspect of parenthood, of course, because they’re worried about seeming ungrateful, or just not positive enough. There’s huge pressure as a parent to be positive at all times: to never admit that your experience is anything less than utterly magical, and it’s that pressure, I think, that leaves some of us feeling like abject failures, and wondering why we’re not managing to have this picture-perfect parenting experience that everyone else seems to be having around us.

There’s huge pressure as a parent to be positive at all times: to never admit that your experience is anything less than utterly magical…

It’s not for the lack of trying, either.

I, for instance, started December feeling uncharacteristically excited about Christmas. We’d been surprised by how much Max seemed to understand about it all, and I guess I kind of bought into this idea everyone kept trying to sell me about how these early years would be just the best! thing! ever! People kept on telling me to enjoy every moment, and I tried my best to do just that. We put our tree up on December 1st, and I watched in despair as the image I’d had of us all laughing happily as we sipped hot chocolate and sang wholesome Christmas songs quickly gave way to one in which I spent the entire morning having to physically restrain a heartbroken toddler from jumping onto the half-finished tree (And also from jumping off the back of the sofa, which was his preferred way to spend this magical time…), while Terry angrily slung baubles onto branches, and not one single mug of hot chocolate was drunk. Possibly because we didn’t actually buy any. Whoops.

The rest of the holiday season was more or less the same. Here we are taking Max to see the Christmas lights at the mall, for instance:

When Christmas isn't magical

I thought it would be a magical moment; that the lights would enchant him, and it would be the perfect start to the season. enchant him. And, I mean, maybe they DID enchant him – if so, however, it was definitely more like the kind of dark enchantment Voldemort might use on someone, than the happy, joyous one I’d been imagining

Our Christmas Day, meanwhile, was lovely, but it was lovely in parts: or parts of it were lovely, rather. Some parts, on the other hand, were really quite difficult (These would be the parts when Max was tired and cranky, and nothing would placate him: the poor soul is teething and has a cold right now – as well as being, you know, two – so it wasn’t his fault, but, of course, that didn’t mean it wasn’t hard work dealing with the tantrums…), and most parts were honestly just no different from every other day of the year. By 8pm, Max was in bed, and Terry and I were on our own again … and, I mean, sure, we watched some festive TV and ate some Christmassy snacks, but I’d be lying if I said these things made our evening feel ‘magical’, like the ones everyone else seemed to be having, if social media is to be believed. Yes, we were making new traditions, just like everyone kept assuring us we would… but we were also missing out on some of the old ones – which is the problem with new traditions, really, isn’t it?

Then came New Year’s Eve.

Now, I’ve never enjoyed New Year. In fact, when we had Max, I was secretly quite glad that, for a few years at least, I’d have an excuse no one could argue with to just stay at home, and pretend it wasn’t happening.

I hadn’t considered social media, though… or that fact that, as I sat there, scrolling through Facebook and Instagram (Yes, I know I could just have avoided them, but what am I: a saint?), I’d be hit by this giant dose of FOMO: not because of the night itself, but from the way everyone seemed to be talking about it.

On Instagram, for instance, everyone had just had the best year of their lives, at the end of the best decade ever. On Facebook, meanwhile, people were busy doing victory laps, congratulating themselves on the awesome decades they’d managed to have, and typing Oscars speeches into the status box about how wonderful their lives were. Even the ones who hadn’t just had the best ten years of their lives were at least living their best lives NOW: posting photos of their ‘glow-up’ and talking about how much better things were for them as they approached the start of 2020.

It was impossible not to feel like I was missing out… because, just like Christmas day, my last decade was good in parts… but only partly good. Yes, we had a baby and bought a new house: we had some amazing holidays, and some truly wonderful times. We also, however, lost a parent and a pet: our family dealt with some really serious shit, so, along with the highest of highs, we also had some of the very lowest of lows to deal with, too. As grateful as I am for the good things that have happened, and that continue to happen, I don’t honestly feel I can describe it as the best decade ever: and I can’t possibly be the only one who feels like that.

The language of social media, however, is all about positivity and hyperbole. Things are never just good, they’re always THE BEST. Every day is magical, and, even when they’re not, we’re encouraged to find the magic in every day, and talk about that, rather than dwelling on the not-so-good stuff. There’s a lot of sense in that, obviously: I can see why people would want to focus only on the good things in life, but I also worry that, by ignoring all the rest, we set up impossibly high expectations, which most of us can’t possibly hope to meet. I worry that we’re creating a culture in which people are routinely shamed for having normal, human emotions, and encouraged to believe that if they’re not enjoying every single minute, then there’s something very wrong with them.

The language of social media, however, is all about positivity and hyperbole

Real life isn’t really like that, though. Real life has its highs and lows and its ups and downs: it’s rarely ever ALL good or ALL bad… and I think it’s important to be able to recognise that, even although it’s not really the ‘done’ thing these days – on the internet, at least. And that’s why, one of my New Year’s resolutions for this blog is to continue talking about the reality of life, and of parenting: to keep writing these posts, even although I worry about the comments they might generate (Too negative! Just be grateful! Children starving in Africa!), and to make this a space where people feel free to be honest about how they’re feeling, without fear of judgement or ridicule.

So, if you’ve ever felt that life would be easier if you could just be more like everyone else out there – or wondered why you’re not – then this blog is here to reassure you that, actually, you’re just fine the way you are: and you’re definitely not alone…

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COMMENTS
  • Emerald

    REPLY

    You’re not alone! I’ve never enjoyed NYE because it’s at a bad time of the year (cold!), everywhere is expensive and drunk. Meaning that no one will want to drive home (I can drive but don’t have a car) and there’ll be huuuuuge taxi queues. Love the going out and socialising, but couldn’t we have new year when it’s warmer?

    I’m also not a fan of enforced jollity and positivity. While I do think these are good qualities when genuine, it can be damaging when they’re expected of you. As someone who had a fairly big health issue to attend to recently, I’m aware of the pressure surrounding that particular condition to be MEGA cheerful and upbeat about it. Luckily I was pretty cheerful, but plenty of people are scared and should have the permission to be so.

    January 6, 2020
  • Jenna

    REPLY

    Thank you for posting this. I spent Christmas Day, upstairs, trapped under a sleeping baby who didn’t want to be put down to nap because everything was just too exciting. I could hear everyone having fun and was grinding my teeth in jealousy! I’m in complete agreement with you-everyone looks in horror if you mention missing parts of your old life but who wouldn’t miss wine and late nights rather than the bedtime routine? It’s nice to feel I’m not alone!

    January 6, 2020
  • Emerald

    REPLY

    Re: Small people calling the shots – I remember being out and about in Cambridge with my dad and (much!) younger sister. As we were heading to the car we passed a nice cafe and decided to go for another coffee. As soon as we opened the door, this little girl shouted “No! I want to go home!” My dad shrugged and said we’d have to take her. Isn’t it amazing that someone so tiny rules the roost, I remarked, all the while thinking that I was probably the same. ?

    January 6, 2020
  • Amen to all of this, especially New Year’s Eve. My only really good ones have been when a few friends have decided to boycott it and just hang with food and booze at home! Oh and one while skiing in France when my boyfriend at the time was doing a ski season. That was pretty fun as I recall.

    And the parenting not being all highs? Absolutely! We had a lovely Christmas, seeing my family (who all live miles away), lots of fun and presents and long dog walks, but in amongst it were tantrums galore, especially as Emilia decided she no longer does naps at all, so very overtired and overstimulated child, plus family “making comments” (esp little sister who has a 7 week old baby – cannot wait for Christmas in 2years when I can return the favour of gems like “You shouldn’t reward a tantrum” or “Can’t you play a game with her and keep her occupied?” Ha ha ha ha. She will learn! (Also, were not rewarding a tantrum, were just doing what we could to prevent entire family’s Christmas lunch being ruined by screaming child). There were magical bits yes, there were also shit bits where my husband and I lost it with each other too, just purely because we didn’t know how to cope with the demon child! Who is not a demon, just, as you say, two.

    Thank you for sharing this. Ignore the haters. We absolutely need more honest voices like this that stop us from feeling the weight of perfection and Instagrammable moments on top of just keeping our small people happy and healthy! xxx

    January 6, 2020
  • I do miss being able to sleep in and go out at my leisure, focussing on what I want to do at Christmas Day rather than playing with the new toys the kids got that are suited at 4 year old ones rather than 40 year old ones. And when the holidays are around, I miss that more than ever.
    As you said, I love my kids and cherish the time I get to spend with them, but my old life was pretty fab too.

    Anne from “Doctor Anne”

    January 6, 2020
  • Max’s namesake, my wee nephew, was three and a half this Christmas, and I feel like this was the first year that I properly saw what a wee one can add to the festive celebrations. Of course, I wasn’t with him on the day itself, when by all accounts he was so overwhelmed he didn’t even open all his presents…

    As for New Year, I was in bed at 10.30pm. Cannot think of anything worse.

    Happy new year, Amber. I hope 2020 brings lots of lovely things for your wee family, and no pressure to pretend when things are otherwise.

    xx

    January 6, 2020
    • This. My littlest niece is three and a half and I feel like this was the first year she was properly into Christmas and really understanding what was going on. Plus she can now recognise her own name so was straight in there with the stockings at my mum’s house to find her one and get stuck into opening everything!

      January 6, 2020
  • “I worry that we’re creating a culture in which people are routinely shamed for having normal, human emotions, and encouraged to believe that if they’re not enjoying every single minute, then there’s something very wrong with them” Very well said! Amen to that! And thank you for sharing your honest thoughts!

    January 6, 2020
      • Hallelujah! I just wrote a post pretty much on the same vein. I love Bailey so much and loved having him here for Christmas but the reality is a 4 month old with sleep regression and constant visitors and stimulation simply don’t mix! There were magical parts for sure, but there were also really shit, frustrating exhausting parts and that’s life, why shouldn’t we talk about it? I’m pig sick of seeing mums (or anyone to be fair) lambasted for daring to vocalise that they find something really tough – especially when the rest of the time everyone is sharing ‘It’s ok to not be ok!’ memes! The hypocrisy is staggering!

        January 7, 2020
  • Kelly Glen

    REPLY

    I don’t have children and never want to but I think it’s seems perfectly normal to fell the way you do and people should never make you feel guilty in anyway, parenting is definitely hard work and I’m sure that there can’t be that many parents who don’t feel the same way at some point.

    January 6, 2020
  • Mary Katherine

    REPLY

    You keep on keeping it real, sweetie. In this age of social media/FOMO/everyone’s happier/prettier/more sucessful than me, your voice is really needed. Hang in there – you’re doing a great job!

    January 6, 2020
  • I’m childfree by choice but I absolutely agree with your comments about how EVERYONE on social media felt the need to post about how wonderful their year/decade had been. I had an awful 2019 in which I was brutally dumped from a 7 year relationship (so in other words, the relationship which had consumed most of my decade was over…) In fact, the Instagram post I posted on new year’s eve started with the line ‘I’m not doing a 2019 best nine because this year has been so crap’… (proof: https://www.instagram.com/p/B6vEhtZHily/ ) Anyway, nice to see someone else telling it like it is!

    January 6, 2020
    • Nicola

      REPLY

      I LOVE this post so much, I want to print it out and frame it on my desk as a daily reminder.

      Surely in this day and age where there is so much more awareness of mental health, it should be more acceptable and normal to admit that sometimes things are great, and sometimes they’re not?

      Thank you for being so relatable! ?

      January 6, 2020
  • Janean

    REPLY

    This is a fantastic article, and honestly, all too true. I see this crossing over into real life as well– in one of my “lowest lows” I actually had a friend drop me because I was “too negative-” I was being harassed to the point of such high stress that it led to memory loss but yes, please tell me how I have to pretend everything is OMG THE BEST EVER. No, I won’t. I am one of the happiest people that I know, but just because I am happy a lot of the time doesn’t mean that I have to pretend to be at pinnacle joy all of the time. In short, which I probably should have just stuck to, I could not agree more.

    January 6, 2020
  • Melissa

    REPLY

    Yes! I think society is creating the impression that it is not ok to have a rough time or feel negative. I often talk to patients who have expectations that unless they are happy all the time, they are ill. We need to talk about normal feelings more.

    January 6, 2020
  • Lauren

    REPLY

    Brilliant & honest!

    January 14, 2020
  • Jude

    REPLY

    What a great post! There’s way too many images of attractive family moments!! Those joyful moments were brief. Most of it was much harder work than my previous professional role. I really missed going out for tea at 7pm after work and walking along the beach at 9pm without kids.
    Some things I found helped holiday season (and life in general with little ones):
    1. teach them to help with work eg put toys away as soon as they are old enough to get them out
    2. be positive and upbeat with preschoolers and move on rather than everyone dissolve into sympathetic emotional distress when toddler/child isn’t 100% happy. They are fine – really! Have a quiet laugh to yourself or with friends about their meltdowns at the smallest of things. Don’t let them know you think its funny!
    3, Common sense – rest, good food and some routine. They will suffer (and you) with late nights!!!
    4. Simple activities – We liked going out for coffee and beach walks in the mornings when they weren’t tired and simple stuff at home or nearby eg playgrounds, walk to shops, reading books together.
    5. Holidays based around playgrounds – kids are happier = parents are happier
    6. Don’t try and cram too much into life. Its ok not to be achieving ridiculous numbers of external goals. Kids are important and need time especially in early years. They are worth it.
    7. Spend time with other families and realise you are normal!
    8. Lower expectations – don’t spend too much time looking at online pics of “perfect” families
    I am past those younger years now and I absolutely love the kids being around most of the time. Its not perfect but its not as hard as toddler meltdowns. It has been worth the effort during the younger years. Anyway I hope these comments might help someone. Other Mums helped me so much to realise it’s all normal and there are ways to make it easier in short-term and long-term

    January 20, 2020
  • Myra

    REPLY

    My favourite psychological theory of child rearing is the “good enough parent” theory. You don’t need to be a perfect parent, just good enough, and you are. It doesn’t mean subsuming your personality into that of your child, or attempting to be perfect.
    And social media is filled with people who are largely writing fiction, or who write when they are feeling positive, or who adopt a positive and smiley approach when they turn it on. We all know this, and yet allow it to affect us and compare these posts to our own mundane lives, to the detriment of our mental health. Your form of honesty resonates with others as they recognise their own lives.

    February 27, 2020
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