Doing The Best Job We Can

There’s a song out there with lyrics that say, “Your parents did the best job that they knew how to do.” I haven’t heard that song in forever, maybe not even since I became a parent, but somewhere in my mind I remember the words. They resonate with me completely.

As a parent, I’ve discovered the secret: none of us really know what we’re doing. I have six kids, and people often assume I have it all figured out, but that is far from the truth.

My oldest is responsible, level-headed, and very logical. If we explain why we don’t want him to do something, he usually shapes up for a while, but eventually he ends up doing it anyway, at least some of it. I’m talking about big things, not little things.

My second is a girl, also very logical. She responds well when we explain things, and she asks great questions. She’s open and thoughtful in a way that makes parenting feel a little easier at times.

My third, I love him to death, but he is very open-minded and adventurous. Between the ages of five and eight, he went through significant personality changes, and he is the kind of child who will try everything. He holds our thoughts in the back of his mind but ultimately does what he wants.

My fourth, my five-year-old, is Mr. Rebel. Impulsive and determined, he is going to do things without thinking. I really hope that changes as he gets older.

My fifth and sixth are still babies, so it’s too early to tell what they’ll be like. But even if they are completely different from the others, by the time I figure out how to parent them, they will likely challenge me in new ways.

The truth is, I cannot parent any of my children the same way. God gave me the level-headed ones first, at least so far, which has helped. But as we get to the wilder, more impulsive ones, I know we will have to reevaluate and adapt.

Parenting does not come with a manual. It’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes exhausting. But I’m learning to trust that I am doing the best I can, even when I have no idea what I’m doing.

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Think about every photo you’ve taken of your children, every memory you’ve preserved for them. You deserve that same love and attention. Come to Kristian Hutchings Portraits, let me pamper you from start to finish, and leave with portraits that show the beauty, strength, and grace you give the world every day. Motherhood is part of our legacy and we should leave our children and grandchildren a true reflection of our beauty to remember us by.

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Kristian is a mom of six, Program Manager by day, active Professional Photographer by trade, and a big believer in finding beauty in the everyday chaos.

Life in our house is loud, messy and full of literally everything. Love, noise, laundry, laughter, and definitely could use a bit more grace. I'm happily married to my best friend, grounded in my Catholic faith, and fueled by five to six hours of sleep per night and adrenaline.

I try to find joy in the everyday — even when it's wild, because without the little bit of joy, this life would be unbearable. This space is for the moms in the middle of it all: the ones juggling family, faith, work, and wonder. The ones that need someone else's messy life to make their own seem better or somewhat normal. You're not alone, and you're doing better than you think.

Welcome to Six Sweet Smiles — where we celebrate the mess, the miracles,