This is definitely my second post of the night but I have just had so much on my mind lately. Not sure if it is because I’m out of school or what but I just need to write.

Alrighty people. (If anyone is actually reading this.) I sometimes get in my head about all the bad things that could happen to my baby. I see posts or news articles or things on TV that freak me out. Even little things like walking up and down the stairs.

I feel like I need to protect her from every single thing sometimes but I know deep down that wouldn’t be good because she will never know how to cope with the real world once she begins to live on her own.

How do you find that balance?

I would honestly not know what to do with myself if anything were to happen to her. I’m not sure if things that I think about are irrational or normal.

How do you get out of worst case scenario?

There are so many bad people and bad things in the world. I know she will hear or see things that I don’t want her to but I guess I just need to teach her how to handle things that are bad and tempting or show her how those choices would effect her life.

You want your child to become this perfect little person and you may think they already are but are you really setting them up for success when you do that. That is a whole lot of pressure. She is going to make mistakes and my job is to make them teachable moments. Wanting and creating a picture perfect world for them is not realistic I guess.

I need some advice. Anyone else struggle with this?

Ok, so does anyone else go to bed with regrets, as a parent? I do.

There are so many things that happen during the day with my 18 month old. We have good times, bad times, annoyed times, tired times, silly times and other numerous emotions. During all these little moments of her learning, I am also learning.

Parenting is like riding a rollercoaster. You are going at different speeds all day and you have your ups and downs. Sometimes you make great choices as a parent and sometimes you don’t.

I need to learn to celebrate the good and remember them in times of need and to learn from the bad. I wonder if there is a complete right and wrong to this whole thing sometimes.

There is also the judgement side. Especially when you are out in public. You don’t want to be judged by your actions. I could honestly care less about my toddlers actions because she is so new to this thing called life and I am going to do my best to guide her. However, everyone is watching you. What you do for and to your child. Don’t get me wrong, there are parents out there that don’t make good choices on a consistent basis and I see it daily with my students.

I have gone back and forth with so many choices. I need to start sticking to my choice and make it consistent for her. There are so many times I go to bed with regret and wondering if I am doing this right. But is there a right way?

All families have different ways of doing things and they have to do what works for them. I am just hoping my baby girl learns and grows into a beautiful person inside and out so that I can also grow and become a parent that she can rely on and come to with struggles or celebrations in her life.

This post is kind of all over the place but I just had to get some clarity. Does anyone else feel this way? How do you handle these things and move forward?