One of the things I notice a ton a cute memes and posts about but also something nobody really talks about is how crazy the emotional and physical ups and downs of being a parent is.

Just yesterday, my kid crushed it on a presentation at school with memorized lines and a bit of acting. I was so proud. The memory of seeing him sitting casually on his desk, knowing he had practiced it – his confidence… made our hearts swell.

Up.

Then, we lost a pet.

Huge Down.

Then we went to an awards banquet where my kids came home with MVP’s, most points scored, Offensive player of the year, etc.

Up

Non stop ups and downs, like a line off an EKG readout! It’s crazy.

It’s like this damn near every day. Maybe not with these extremes, but simply substitute panic over lost shoes, a subpar breakfast, beating your brother in a game of trampoline flip, and catching a touchdown at recess with loading the laundry and dishwasher 4 times, and you hit our family average.

After school is when it really takes off.

My family is action packed!   It’s Crazy!

OK, I don’t know you, but I’ll go out on a very short limb here…you’re busy too. – we’re all busy – everyone.

No one is really any more busy than anyone else – we all get to a point and it’s just “busy.”

The stresses of real life can get to us all – I have 4 kids that are involved in everything and every sport and I also have a  fantastic wife that just embraces the chaos lifestyle. She LOVES it and helps to garner it.

She came up with the calling, “Texas Zoo Crew.” It fits, not just because of the animals but the pure unadulterated, chaos!

It’s exciting, wild, fun and also, at times, exhausting and dare I say?

overwhelming.

So I’ll offer this quick tip today.

Many of the followers of the Texas Zoo Crew are parents, and I think this will help you!

In fact, help a brother out, send this to a friend that can use it.

It’s something my dad said to me when I called him on edge one night.  A simple “imagery” that made a difference for me and maybe helps you.

He said, 

“When we used to take you to the fairs and amusement parks as a kid -You always liked the bigger rollercoasters and scarier rides.  You wanted the full adrenaline hit and were always looking for the biggest and baddest. Well, that’s what you’ve got now . You’ve built a monster amusement park out of your life – You’ve got the big rides, the loud music, the clowns, the circus act, the $10 lemonades.  You’ve built this life.”

“You’re living the dream and riding the big roller coaster, Babe!   Parenthood rocks”

That was enough for me.  It was perfectly stated and an instant stress dropper. 

What caused me anxiety one minute gave me pride, excitement and a feeling of well being the next.

Thanks DAD.