No One Tells You

No one ever told me when you become a parent, a full grown adult with your own home, that you will never have a clean glass and the 8 beach towels will be somewhere with the fifty single unmatched socks. No one tells you there will be literal wars over dishes and dog poop. No one mentions you will have communal showers and don’t even think about going to the bathroom…alone. Also, you will likely need a toilet paper hotline because there will never be any when you need it. Your clothes, socks, and even underwear will be free game because your children don’t have any, though you bought them last week. Pens, gum, scissors, tape, nail clippers, and remote controls are hot commodities, hide them in a safe. Just when you thought  you earned some peace and quiet, think again; you are the only one who can find what they need…now! No one ever prepares you for the smells that could kill, the soccer cleats, practice jerseys, gym shirts, and oh the socks! No one ever tells you your bed will be like a lifeboat rescuing the sick, the scared, the hungry, the sad. No one ever tells you your life will never be the same, it will not be your own. No one tells you you will not always be adored, but there will be moments they will not want you there. No one tells you when they wrap their tiny fingers around your thumb and rest safely in your arms that one day they will not need you…as much.  No one tells you how hard it will be to let them leave and how glad you will be when they come home.

No one tells you your heart will beat outside of yourself in these humans of yours. No one tells you how much love you are capable of, how much you will be willing to sacrifice. No one tells you that being a parent will be the most rewarding role you will ever have and that loving your kids will change you and make you better. No one tells you how much you will learn from your kids and how they will teach you to love others and to be better. No one tells you when you have kids that they will do and be more than you could have prayed for them. No one tells you because there are no words to describe the beautiful mess of parenting and no way to imagine the infinite love you will possess.