Being a parent is probably one of the most amazing feelings in the world. However, it can also be filled with some of the toughest moments you may ever experience. Unlike living with a partner who snores or the neighbor who refuses to cut their grass every two weeks per HOA rules, there are things about parenting, that you just can’t learn to adjust to. Being a parent means some days flying high on your unicorn, while others days everything including the kitchen sink is being thrown at you.

But guess what? That’s perfectly okay! As parents, we have to take the time to enjoy and relish in every little moment that we can. Whether it’s a big win or small win; no matter how silly or extravagant. If you made it-celebrate it. Here are a list of small wins, that we like to celebrate. As always, if you have any, let us know in the comments below!

You Made Dinner, And Everyone Ate

In my household, this is a big one. My husband (and I) hate wasting food. Our once relatively amazing eaters are now some of the pickiest ones imaginable. Taco Tuesday, has turned into “don’t put meat in this shell, but put meat and sour cream on this one” and Lasagna Thursday has spiraled into the “ewwwww red sauce, I won’t eat it”. Don’t try and make it so they like it the next week; then there are endless wails of “where is my meat?”, “why is the lasagna sauce white?”.

The only day we can count on everything being eating…Soul Food Sunday. Because what kid can resist macaroni and cheese?

When The Teacher Calls & It’s To Tell You How Amazing Your Child Is

Having a son who is autistic has filled me with so much anxiety over the years when it comes to his behavior. It’s a fine line as to what is the Autism/ADHD and what is just him being bad (my only relief is that his pediatrician said this is also a common thing with children with Down Syndrome, but as parents we still have to hold them accountable for their actions, as if they were neurotypical). Whenever the number from the school pops up I freak out a little worrying “oh lord, what did Andrew do?” or “OMG! Is my baby okay?”. If his teacher calls and says he has had an amazing week, I dance. Not only do I dance, I also eat a bowl of ice cream, and if I’m in an exceptionally good mood I share the ice cream.

You Managed To Keep Your Cool In The Car Rider Lane

Whether it’s the parent who refuses to pull up, or the ones that see another mom from the A.M. pilates class, and decides it will be a great idea to chop it up right there-outside of the car-while it’s running-after their kid has already gotten in (Holy run on sentence Batman!). I think it’s safe to say, we have all encountered some form of car rider lane frustration. If you manage to let it roll off today, celebrate that win. More than likely, that’s more than I could in that situation.  Don’t get me started on the ones who decided they are going to get in front of everyone, instead of getting at the end of the line. If I’ve had to sit in this line for 45 minutes, so should you.

YOU WERE ABLE TO PEE IN PEACE

This gets ALL the CAPS! Never did I imagine as an adult, that I would have to endure an audience while handling my business on the pearly throne. What to Expect When You’re Expecting, conveniently left that out. So when my kids are to preoccupied with whatever Calliou is whining about in that moment to notice mommy had to pee…then I celebrate. No one likes their kid telling them how to wipe.

You Took A Trip To The Grocery Store Alone

Grocery shopping with kids is a pain in the patootie. Seriously, any chance I get to shop without kids is a time to celebrate. 

You Didn’t Hide In The Car and Cry

…or closet, bathroom, garage-wherever. If you made it without losing your stuff even when things were falling apart-you deserve to celebrate holding it together..like a “G”.

This Didn’t Happen…

 

Neither Did This…

Rule of thumb: Every single day no one gets hurt, it’s a good day.

Someone Compliments Your Kids On Their Behavior

My kids aren’t bad, but lord knows they can irritating. So whenever we are out in public and someone (usually it’s an elderly person), compliments me on how wonderful my children are, and how beautiful my family is, I can’t help but feel a certain way. And that way is usually glee coupled with “YASSSSSSS! I did that!”.

No One Disinvited You To The Playgroup Because Of Your Political Beliefs

There is no denying that with the current political climate, things have a tendency to get a bit heated on both sides. If you managed to make it another day still a member of your play group, and your social media followers/friends haven’t dropped, and your kids are still allowed to play with the neighbor’s kids, then count yourself lucky. A lot of us can’t say the same (but please don’t let that stop you from expressing your beliefs).