Optimism. It's a word we use all the time, and I think we all know what it means. As parents, optimism might be the only thing that keeps us going at times. With all the stresses of raising children, working, and just regular life stuff, we use coping mechanisms to make it through the less-than-easy days. We have the innocent, oblivious thoughts that things will somehow get better, easier, or less stressful.
How many times have you told to yourself "this is just a phase and it can't last too long" or "tomorrow will be better." Maybe it will. Maybe it's wishful thinking. Maybe it's being naïve to be so hopeful when we really should know better.
In an effort to remain sane, parents tell themselves some pretty crazy stuff just to survive some of the trials of parenthood. It's better than the alternative of giving up all hope, right?
We tell ourselves . . .
We lie to ourselves just to make it through the day and on to the next and are in survival mode most of the time. It got me thinking . . . is it wishful thinking? OR . . . is it insanity? Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results? Hmmmm . . .
Cheers to the "next phase." It has to be easier, right?