I’ve been a parent now for more than 9 years. Everyone talks about how hard it is. How those years with diapers and midnight feedings make everyone cranky. I never felt that way. I loved those quiet moments of stillness at night, just protecting my babies.

As they get older, they show you yourself. And that’s when things get interesting.

My boys are really different. They need different things. They have different strengths and weaknesses. And when I see myself in those weaknesses, it gets pretty scary. I get frustrated seeing them have so little patience for themselves. But that is a reflection of the negative talk they have witnessed when I beat myself up over a mistake or frustration.

There are few things that change you like parenthood. And it’s not all great. I wish someone had told me how magical that first part would be. I appreciated that magic. I’m learning to appreciate the magic of reflection, too.