Wise Words
by Kathy Nenneker
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Advice. Along with the first tummy bulge, it comes. With the first visit to the grocery
store carrying your new baby, it comes. Before delivery, in the hospital, during
the first weeks at home, through weaning, walking, talking and eating, there's
lots of advice. It's our goal at New Parent to make some of the most useful and
expert advice easy to find and use.
I remember well the best advice on parenting I received. It came from an
unexpected source. My kids are teens now, but editing New Parent has brought it
all back to me. My son, Chazz, and my daughter, Katie, are 15 months apart, so in
many ways it was like having twins. They were in diapers, car seats and cribs at
the same time. I spent a lot of time with Chazz in a backpack and Katie in a
front carrier (requiring exquisite balance when reaching for low items at the
grocery store).
When Katie was 2 and Chazz 3, we traveled with friends to their family farm in
Iowa. Our hosts, Bob and Mildred Thorngren, were gracious and warm. The coffeepot
was on and the cake homemade when we arrived. We settled in.
The next morning Katie careened into an end table, popping a deep gash in her
forehead that required stitches. It was my first experience with this kind of
blood and the "papoose" board in the emergency room to which they strapped our
little screaming one while the doctor stitched her up with thick, black thread
(there was no plastic surgeon anywhere near). When we got back to the farm from
the emergency room, Katie ran from the car squealing with joy at the sight of the
beloved pony, Coco, while my husband and I dragged ourselves, exhausted and fully
drained to the living room couches.
Katie never once took notice of the Frankenstein stitches across her forehead,
and she and Chazz literally charged through a full week of adventures. There were
cows, chickens, goats, the grain silo, ponies, barn cats and dogs. There was mud,
manure, spiders, big summer storms, charging roosters and a fishing hole.
On our last day Bob and Mildred drove us to the airport. As always, Katie was
running one way and Chazz the other while we wrestled with luggage, gear, bags of
food and endless supplies. The constant chase had worn me out. In the blur of
the terminal, Mildred caught my eye, gave me a knowing look and calmly said,
"This too will pass."
Thirteen years later, I realize that along with the moments of exhaustion,
uncertainty and exasperation pass the moments of joy, amazement and wonder. Her
wise words have served me two ways - as reassurance that I will, of course, get
through the tough times and most importantly as a reminder to treasure every
moment and be aware, present and there for my kids in every way I can.
So welcome to New Parent. Welcome to parenting. It can be challenging, exhausting
and unexpected, but you'll learn, grow and love in ways you never thought
possible.
Kathy Nenneker is Editor-in-Chief of New Parent Magazine
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