Managing Expectations, as a Parent

This weekend I had big plans. I was going to go to a holiday craft fair, out to dinner for a birthday, decorate and clean the house, do some work for the business and then top it all off with a Vikings game with friends. I was ready for some fun! And then my little got sick. Like sick sick, fever and all. Plans canceled. That seems to be the case a lot as a parent, even more so in the winter. I was disappointed for sure but surprisingly we flexed and went in to hunker down mode. As a newish parent, I feel like a major life lesson I have learned is to manage my expectations by lowering them. Not so low I don’t plan or get excited. But lowered to a point without pressure, where I can be flexible and pivot in this new life. When I did not do that, I was left feeling frustrated for something that is truly out of my control. Lowering my expectations has allowed me to take the pressure off, roll with whatever comes my way and even find some joy in the change. Today I had big plans. But you know what? I really enjoyed watching some classic cartoon movies with my little snuggled on the couch.

What is a life lesson you have learned in parenthood? I feel like we are always learning something new and changing as people. I would love to hear your experience.