The New Normal

A good friend recently sent us an email describing some of the process his family has gone through raising a child with type 1 diabetes. One thing he said was that they had to adjust to the "New Normal". This really hit me, both as a parent in general and especially as Maddie's mom.

Every major life change, marriage, babies, new dogs, new jobs, all of it results in a New Normal. You have to give up something familiar, comfortable, maybe even fun, in order to embrace the new. I remember Luke and I struggling quite a bit during my first pregnancy to give up all of our childless adventures - I tease Luke that he went through a mourning period when he realized our impromptu road trips would have to stop for a while.

So the new normal with Maddie. I have no idea what it is going to be or how often it is going to change. But I'm so hopeful that my new normal doesn't limit what my children believe they can do. I know that I don't want to spend Maddie's whole life reminding her to slow down and be careful and asking if she feels ok.