You know you’re a Parent when…

Parenting is a journey you’re never really prepared for. No matter how much you prepare to be said parent. Even now, after being married more than a decade and four kids later, I still wonder what the hell I’m doing, almost on a daily basis. Because the thing about parenting rules is, there aren’t any!

You are already doing such an incredible job. But just incase you’re unsure about where you stand on this parenting thing, here’s how you know you’re a (GREAT) parent:

YOU KNOW YOU’RE A PARENT WHEN…

• your biggest fight was because your spouse entered the room, asking if baby was asleep…when you just got him to finally close his eyes

• you’ve rocked your shopping trolley, or bouncing gently while waiting in line to pay…without holding a baby

• going grocery shopping without your children feel like a mini holiday

• you panic when your kids are present, not napping, and silent

• you cram your entire adult life between the time you put your child down for the night, and you go to sleep

• you’re always late

• your kids want to strike up a serious converation only when you’re trying to going to sleep, read a book, closing yourself in the bathroom, or watching a critical moment of your favouite TV show

• you know what “suicide hour” means

• things that would have completely disgusted and freaked you out pre-parenthood, have become your new normal (think being peed on and having noses wiped off in your neck in your 20’s vs today)

• the more effort you put into preparing dinner, the less of it will get eaten

• Legos are your worst nightmare, and stepping on one is scarier than walking on live coals

• when you get in someone’s car (non-parents), you’re shocked at how clean the car is

• waking up 8am on a weekend is sleeping in

• closing bathroom doors at home has become a thing in the past

• you can have a full-on conversation with your toddler while on the toilet (#newnormal)

• you happily sing along to nursery songs (and know all the words) even when no one else is in the car

• you finally have a date night and feel guilty for leaving the kids for longer than an hour or two

• a small part of you enjoys when your child is sick because it means they’ll sit still to get extra snuggles and love

• you’ve mastered the art of the whisper yell

• dressing up fancy means putting on earings

• you start counting down the hours to nap time the second they wake up. And then again until dad comes home

• you judge the quality of a restaurant by the kind of the baby-chairs they have

• you have tasted the formula/breastmilk while dripping it on your wrist to check if the temperature is just right

• … “Baaaaabyyyyy shark doo-doo-doodoo!” That is all.