It's been quite a while since I have written a blog post.  During the past few months, my life has been so busy with many changes taking place for me, both personally and professionally.  Which leads me to what's on my mind these days...

Change.

As moms, we tend to look at change as something that needs to be handled very carefully.  We hear so much about kids needing consistency. Schedules. We hear about how kids thrive in environments when they know exactly what to expect all the time.  We read the parenting books that explain that a consistent bedtime routine and after school schedules are crucial to the long term success of our kids.  

When it comes to change, big or small, we need to make sure that the choices we make are ones that will not disrupt our family routine.  Often, we come up with a million reasons to put off change for this reason.   For several years, this is how I operated and I have no regrets.  I stayed in situations that were comfortable because I did not think the family, or myself, could handle change.  And, maybe at that point we could not.

However, over the past three months, I have made some pretty significant changes around here.  Some were proactive and some were reactive based on things that came my way unexpectedly.  As a mother, I forged ahead with my kids best interest in the front of my mind but made a conscious effort to remember that in my case, change needed to overpower comfort. I needed to break out of the bubble I was living in. Perhaps, when all is said and done, everyone will be happier and better off because of the changes I am making.

People underestimate their capacity for change.  There is never a "right" time to do a new or difficult thing.  You just kind of have to decide to take a risk and keep your head on straight while you take it. Over the past few months I have learned a great deal about myself and my family.  I've learned that I am making good choices around here despite how often I question them.  I've learned that my children have two parents who adore them and put them first. Nothing else really matters.

I don't regret any choices I have made as a mom but I do regret waiting too long to do many things because I was scared of being a failure to my kids and messing them up.  Shame on me for not giving these kids the credit they deserve.  Life is not about living in a bubble where everything is the same every day and everyone wears white.  Life is messy, it has ups and it has downs and the best thing I can do as a parent is expose my kids to real life and be there for them as they learn how to navigate through it. The truth is, kids actually are more resilient than the adults when it comes to change.  Imagine that.

I do not pretend to know anything about, well, anything. I do know that I have many friends who talk a great deal about changes they want to make but are scared to.  Going back to school.  Getting divorced. Switching careers.  Having another baby.  My view on life has changed so much in such a short period of time that I feel compelled to tell my friends (when they ask because I do not give unsolicited advice) that NOW is the time.  Do not wait to be happy.  Being a parent means sacrifice but it doesn't mean you have to be unhappy to make those around you happy.

There is, and will always be,enough happiness to go around:)