#1 Thing I Wish I'd Done When I Had Littles

 Remember who I am. 

Yep, that is the number one thing I wish I'd done when my kids were tiny. 

Instead, I turned over every part of myself to them. 

Gave until I had nothing left to give, and then, pushed harder.

Of course our job is to meet their needs when they can't, particularly as infants and young toddlers. 

The picture above, circa 2005, makes me feel like I was a baby having babes!

In the last few weeks, these babes in arms turned 22 and 20 years old.

And the truth is, when they moved out (within 3 months of each other!) I had sense-of-self whiplash.

When, all of a sudden, I had copious amounts of time to pursue what I love and reconnect with my husband; I realized just how far I'd allowed the gap to grow. 

Last February, I rediscovered me.

I prioritized morning gratitude time with my husband to rebuild our connection, which has grown into a practice of reading out loud from self-development books.

I intentionally carved out a few hours a week to visit friends and spend time with the littles (who insist on getting bigger) that I used to nanny.

I renewed my faith journey. (credit where credit is due: Claire found us the just-right church for our family).

And I began a consistent and empowering fitness routine with Peloton in my ear every morning.

Remembering who I am and spending small chunks of time to continue to grow into the next-best version of me has been liberating.

My deepest wish? 

I'd stayed connected and chose self-growth all along.  

Even if it mean micro-meditation sessions, 10 minute workouts, and coffee at the curb with a friend waiting for school pick up. 

Check out my episode What Peloton Taught Me About Parenting  to hear more about my journey. 

Then listen to my episode How to Feel Like Yourself Again After Having Kids with Jenn Krieg to help find your way back to you. 

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed is mom to three girls, a Vermont based Early Childhood Educator, Collaborative Parenting Coach, and the founder of Core4Parenting. She is the passionate mastermind behind the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™, a birth-to-five, soul and science based framework that empowers toddler parents and educators  to turn tantrums into teachable moments. Through keynotes, teacher training, and her top-ranking podcast, Transforming the Toddler Years, she’s teaching the 5 Executive Functioning Skills kids need to navigate our ever-changing world.