In my brief time as a parent so far, here’s something I am learning: Every season of parenting has a new set of joys and discoveries. And every season also feels like it’s going to kill you.

My kids are all out of diapers and sleep through the night. So many of the physical demands of the under two stage are behind us.

They also aren’t teens. Or even tweens. No one is in middle school. Puberty is not on the horizon for us.

But neither of the above negate the fact that the what’s right in front of me is hard. In each season, I find myself saying “I have never done this before.” Even in the most amazing and fun stages, the constant newness and adjustments for each child and each stage bring their own set of challenges.

But here’s the beauty of all things worth fighting for: You can name it for what it is (HARD) and absolutely love it at the same time.

You can want to run away to Jamaica and also miss them an hour after bedtime. You can savor how much they need you and also feel completely overwhelmed by their demands. You can pray for bedtime and also want time to stand still.

If you’re feeling these tensions, just know there’s a mom down here in Charleston, picking strawberries by herself, deeply in love with her children and also deeply grateful for some time away from them ❤️