What mother doesn’t remember bringing her child home from the hospital.  The smell, feel, and absolute joy is an experience that a mother doesn’t ever forget. It also the time that relatives, friends and complete strangers feel the need to inform you that you should enjoy this moment because time flies.  Always an “encouraging” statement but not entirely true especially with Preschoolers.

As I currently sit in the living room watching Wreck It Ralph for the millionth time this week, I have been fondly reminiscing about my boys’ baby years.  They were adorable children (as most babies are).  Their little waddle, big bellies, squish-able cheeks, and baby language was probably one of the greatest developmental stages.  I loved every moment of it and took pictures like a crazy woman.  I couldn’t handle the amount of cuteness spewing from my children. I even found their spit up amusing.

Looking back, I am really glad that I took pictures during that BRIEF baby time because the adorable baby phase is immediately followed by the difficult preschool years. Those little boys of mine started to figure out that they had opinions, ideas, a voice, and were still in diapers.  I figured if they could figure out how to climb the cabinets to reach the cookies on top of the fridge than they should at least be able to use the bathroom for themselves.   I was wrong.  These little Macgyvers kept me running for three straight years, THE PRESCHOOL YEARS.

It’s during the preschool years that time doesn’t fly by but it slows to a crawl. I felt as if I would never be out of the reality of preschool.  Little people that are adorable on the outside but have the ability to destroy a room in 1.5 seconds and then sweetly lie to your face when questioned.  They love to “help” and even though you try to nurture that helpful spirit you find yourself trying to fold the laundry or empty the dishwasher during nap time or in secret.  Toys start to become part of your living room furniture and rather than organizing them into their specific cubby cubes you end up tossing everything into a giant tub next to the couch.  Suddenly your life is squeaky toys, stuffed animals, wagons and duplos. I remember thinking that the preschool years would NEVER end. Even after my first child headed off to school I was still knee deep in preschool years and potty training with my second.

The “cherry” on top during our preschool years was the unending advice from professionals and super moms. “Oh, I make all my food from organic vegetables and wash my children in homemade lavender soap.  But I guess what your doing seems to be working?….”  This is said while you both watch your child find and eat an old raisin from under the couch. Professionals love to write article after article explaining that you as a mother MUST play with them endlessly and only supply love rather than discipline.  For real? They must have had been drinking, because that is the only logical explanation for such advice. Let’s face it, preschool years are hard, long, stressful and dirty.  There is no way to sugar coat it. There are moments of greatness but overall it’s pretty tough.

I am now in the elementary years with both my kids.  It is a different element of difficultly but, in my opinion, it is no where near as trying as preschoolers.  My boys are fairly self-sufficient, understand consequences, have the ability to hold a conversation and are developing a great sense of humor.  They still climb the cabinets for cookies but it easier for me to handle it knowing that I don’t have to wipe their tushy in a few hours.

If you are preschool mom that feels like you are sinking, hang on to that Fisher Price toy.  These years may be tough for you but they grow out of it and once they are in the school age years the time DOES fly by!