"When you're a parent, you will understand"

[JazbayGrapes]

Did you hear this phrase while growing up and did you have any moments when it proved true?

For me, it is that you can't always put kids (or one specific kid) first at all times. Sometimes there is a bigger fish to fry, more important thing to think about. And that parenting is a hit and miss - not because you want to deliberately want to upset your kid.

It is true, life as you know it changes big time when having kids! Every aspect changes, it's finally the time to adult, be responsible, no matter what jobs we have with work responsibilities, becoming a parent and caring for a little human being surpasses that! Yes it sounds patronising when said, I wouldn't say it, but it is so true! X

I’m guilty of using this with my 20 year old DD. Sometimes she still can’t grasp that her younger siblings needs trump hers. Just like at other times her needs trump her siblings. She can’t understand yet what it’s like to love three humans so much and try to meet all of their needs, all of the time.

maybe it would have been safer if she had.

Not maybe, but indeed. Children need to know the reality of danger, they need to know how to call for help and that they need to be ready to tell the parent of anything untoward. "You'll understand when you're older" or "Because i said so" just doesn't cut it.

I think it’s a very reasonable comment and have said that to my children.
In fact I stand guilty for saying this a few days ago because I was worried about one of them and he couldn’t understand why . I replied that he will not understand until he is a parent 🤷‍♀️