Ok…maybe wisdom is taking a little far. For those that are new here, my name is Tracie and I have four kids that range from 28 to 9. We have two that are in their twenties and live in Austin and two that are 12 and 9.

So, unlike the majority of my friends,

I have been through all phases of parenting.

One of the advantages to having kids in different phases of my life, I’ve learned few things a long the way that I would like to share with you. After all, it truly takes a village and these little humans don’t come with a manual.

1. Don’t sweat the small stuff. I know that when your toddler is three and wants to wear cowboy boots with shorts and a shirt that is two sizes too small to the store, it seems like the end of the world. But it’s not. Chances are, there will be another child at the store wearing something just as hideous. Give that fellow mom (or dad) a fist bump…you’re doing it right.
2. Don’t be the “judgy” mom. Don’t be the mom to say, “My kid will never do “this” or “that.” Let me tell you…whatever “this” or “that” is, just by putting it out there, they will. One time, I was at Sam’s or Costco with Mackenzie (12) when she was probably 18 months old. I could tell I had very limited time before the “wheels were going to fall off’ which is code for a kid having a melt down. I just needed to get my shopping done. I got her a 32 oz coke. It was the only size they had. She sat in the cart with that straw to her mouth and was a perfect angel. You do what you gotta do to get through the day. I would do it all over again. No shame in my parenting game.
3. You will survive the teen years. It’s tough, I won’t lie. There were plenty of times where I wasn’t sure either me or the kid would make it out alive. Just try and remember your sweet, loving child is still in there….and they will resurface after several years of intense eye-rolling, talking back, and treating you like you are the dumbest person on the planet who has NO idea what they are going through. Oh, and lots of door slamming. Deep breaths and upping the intake of wine will help you get through it.    
4. Having adult kids is FUN. After all those years of telling them what to do and them fighting you every step of the way, you finally get to be their friends. And if they choose to wear ugly clothes, that’s all on them. 

Parenting is a tough gig…probably the toughest! We all do the best we can and need to support one another….we’ve all been there. Hang in there!

Cheers!