As a parent, it’s easy to celebrate your child’s accomplishments. At PenningHouse, we know every child is unique and progresses at their own pace. What a boring world it would be if everyone grew at the same level?! While their wins are amazing to see, let’s not forget who helped them get there….you!
The True Heroes
What professional athlete would be where they are today without an excellent coach? Homeschooling your children is not for the faint of heart (we hear it all the time). As their guardian, you play the role of parent, provider, teacher, coach, doctor, therapist, taxi driver, cheerleader, chef, housekeeper, and personal advocate!
That’s….a lot.
Sure, you get a day during the year to celebrate your greatness (Mother’s Day or Father’s Day), but I think you deserve more. So, this post is all about celebrating the real heroes of the household.
Everyone’s a Winner
It’s not a competition. I think I say these words in my household on a daily basis. I have a very competitive child whose had to work extra hard to learn simple tasks from a young age. That’s okay. It’s not a race.
Don’t get me wrong, every milestone is a complete success worth celebrating. But, for those of us who’ve worked tirelessly with our littles for even the slightest bit of progress, the achievement is monumental.
YOU…DID…THAT!
Unless you’ve walked a day in our shoes, it can be difficult to understand the feeling of these accomplishments. I see countless posts on disability forums of a parent who announced that their 7 or 8-year-old finally used the potty all by themselves! Or a 12-year-old nonverbal child finally looked a parent in the eye and muttered a single word.
I feel those posts deeply because I know firsthand the worry and work that went into that accomplishment. I love seeing other parents celebrating with total strangers over these announcements, too, because it’s a great reminder that we’re not alone.
So, no matter how long it’s taken your children to meet their milestones, or if you’re still working through them, this is your reminder…It’s not a competition. It’s not a race. You are a superstar for holding their hand, doing the work, and guiding them along the way!
How To Celebrate
No accomplishment is too small to celebrate. If you’ve had a terrible week, been sick with the flu, and managed not to lose your cool over the fact that the house came to a grinding halt in your absence…it’s a win.
One great way to celebrate your wins, no matter how small, is to write them down. Take your planner, calendar, or a sheet of paper, and at the end of each week, write down your wins.
I’ll start!
- I stayed on top of all my household chores this week.
- I managed to include physical therapy for both kids within our homeschool schedule.
- I showed up on time for all of my children’s appointments and extracurriculars.
- I helped a friend when she was feeling ill.
- I built a birdbath memorial for our dear kitty, who passed a couple of years ago, and absolutely refuses to let anything grow on top of her grave.
- I successfully turned in my last assignment for school and finished the first semester of my Instructional Design program.
- I cooked dinner every night.
- I managed to keep my cool when my child spilled an entire bowl of milk and cereal all over herself, the table, the floor, and the chair. (This was first thing this morning, before I got dressed for the day. Where did all that milk come from?!)
- I got back to writing a PenningHouse post after a bit of time off to focus on my academics.
Some of these wins may not seem like much, but when you’ve had a busy week, things add up quickly. Don’t forget to celebrate your wins!
Your turn!
Write down your wins, no matter how small. Then look them over and give yourself the pat-on-the-back you deserve. You did all that! Throw in a cupcake from your local bakery for good measure and voila! Your positive reflection will give you the boost you need to keep chugging along.
P.S. Don’t forget to celebrate your child’s wins as well. They’ve done an amazing job right alongside you!
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