I thought I understood patience before becoming a parent. Then motherhood handed me a tiny human who needed me at all hours, who cried without explanation, and who could turn getting dressed into a twenty-minute negotiation. At first, it frustrated me. I wanted efficiency and control. But little by little, I’ve learned that patience isn’t just waiting—it’s choosing kindness while we wait.
Now, I’m trying to slow down and engage with the pace of childhood. The world is brand new to them, and everything is worth exploring. Instead of rushing through routines, we laugh during them. Instead of hurrying to finish tasks, I try to enjoy the connection that comes with them. It turns out, patience isn’t something I’m teaching my kids—it’s something they’re teaching me.
