5 Lessons We’ve Learned as Parents (So Far)

Parenting is the most humbling, rewarding, exhausting, and heart-expanding journey we’ve ever taken. Nothing quite prepares you for the rollercoaster of raising tiny humans—from the sleep-deprived early days to the bittersweet milestones that seem to flash by in an instant. Along the way, we’ve made mistakes, laughed until we cried, and learned a few lessons that have reshaped how we think about life, love, and ourselves.

Here are five lessons we’ve learned as parents (so far)—and we know there are many more to come.

1. Flexibility is more important than control
Before becoming parents, we thought routines and plans were the keys to calm and order. And while routines do help, the truth is that kids have a way of shaking up even the best-laid plans. One skipped nap, one unexpected tantrum in the grocery store, or one mystery fever can turn your day upside down. We've learned that holding on too tightly to control only leads to stress. Flexibility, however, helps us flow with the chaos instead of fighting against it. Letting go of perfection and leaning into the moment—even when it's messy—has made life easier for all of us.

2. Kids learn from what we do, not what we say
We used to think that parenting was mostly about telling kids what to do. But over time, we’ve realized that they’re always watching us—absorbing the way we talk to others, how we handle frustration, how we show love, and how we respond to failure. When we slow down and model patience, kindness, honesty, or responsibility, they begin to mirror those behaviors back. Our actions teach far more than our words. The hard part? Staying conscious of that fact when we’re tired, stressed, or overwhelmed. But it’s worth it. Kids are like mirrors—they reflect what they see in us.

3. Time is the most valuable thing we can give
It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of daily life—chores, work, errands, and to-do lists that never end. But kids don’t remember whether the laundry was folded on time or if dinner was homemade every night. What they do remember is whether we were present. Whether we looked them in the eye when they told a story. Whether we said yes to that board game or snuggled during the bedtime book. We've learned to make time, even when we're busy, because these moments are what shape their memories—and our connection.

4. There’s no such thing as a “perfect” parent
Social media and parenting books can sometimes make us feel like we’re not doing enough—or doing it wrong. But every child is different. Every family is different. We’ve learned that there’s no universal parenting formula that works for everyone. What matters is showing up with love, being willing to grow, and apologizing when we get it wrong. Some days we feel like superheroes. Other days we feel like we’re barely holding it together. But we’ve come to understand that showing up imperfectly is still incredibly powerful. Our kids don’t need perfect parents—they need real ones.

5. Childhood is short, and it’s happening right now
It sounds like a cliché, but nothing makes time feel faster than watching your kids grow. The baby stage, the toddler tantrums, the silly questions, the scraped knees, the bedtime cuddles—it all feels endless at first. And then suddenly, it’s not. They’re older. More independent. Asking for space instead of snuggles. And while every stage brings something new and beautiful, we’ve learned not to wish time away. Even the hard days are part of a season that won’t last forever. Slowing down to notice the magic in the mundane has made all the difference.

We’re still learning—every single day. But if parenting has taught us anything, it’s that love doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. It’s messy, real, and constantly evolving. And that’s okay. Because in the end, it’s not about getting everything right—it’s about growing together.