Is this Normal?

IS THIS NORMAL?

Congratulations, you are a parent! You are probably wondering if what you are experiencing is normal! Well, buckle in, because you are about to hear something important!

If it is health related then check out the resources on page 46 (trust your gut and get it checked out if you are worried)...but if it is relating to how you parent, what your home looks like, where you live, and how you feel about yourself... normal is whatever you decide it to be. Even though you will probably question everything for at least the next 18+ years, in your heart you should know that normal is a state of mind and not an unobtainable destination.

Instead, I have replaced the word normal with whatever fits us that day: unique, fabulous, complicated, loving, adventurous, extraordinary, pure goodness, different, against the grain, original, empowered, forgiving, caring, resilient... and my favourite... perfect, just the way it is!

Normal is a word that I have used less and less throughout my parenting years. I am a mom to a 19 (almost 20) year old, a 17 year old, and twin 12 year olds! I have been married to the sweetest man on earth for over 23 years - and yes, we have gone through some pretty tough times together, and apart, and together again! Normal is far from what I would consider our family.

What will you create as a new normal for your life? Whatever it looks like, embrace it and love each and every part of it, because it is all yours! YOUR unique and fabulous life - with kids!

Jennifer

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