So, women start rushing into the doctor, signing up for their inductions and interventions (even if they’re not necessarily full term.) The way they see it, if a woman who was due 3.5 weeks before me has her baby already, why can’t I have mine?!?!?!

Then they come home with a nice big uterine scar and a story of a failed induction, and they wonder why it happened to them. That is certainly how I ended up with my uterine scar.

Why? Pressure, internal and external, to rush your body through a process. I couldn’t go near the forums during my last few weeks of my second pregnancy. If I saw another induction-turned-cesarean story I was going to lose my mind.

On another note, when my son still wasn’t walking at 16.5 months, I had no patience left. I was worried. Worried that there was something wrong; worried that he might be autistic. Panic flowed through my veins constantly.

Then on the very day he turned 17 months old (2 days before our first interview with the developmental specialists) the boy just got up and started walking. And he walked like he had been walking the whole time. 2 days later the specialists said he appeared to be right on, or even ahead, of most other children’s development.

Since then I have realized that he will do whatever he’s going to do whenever he decides he’s going to do it – and not a minute sooner. This child has taught me patience better than any class or book or therapist ever could have.

One thing to consider though, is that sometimes we may not have as much patience simply because we are too tired. I remember reading somewhere that on an average we Americans get about 6 hours of sleep each day. We live busy lives, and to your point, maybe make too many commitments; and as a result end up being tired, disoriented and of course impatient.

I don’t want to sound like I am using an excuse, but for us, raising our twins with two full time jobs has been particularly demanding. We try hard to keep our patience and give our full attention to the children when we get home. But there are times, when we find ourselves losing patience. In those moments, we have to remind ourselves that it is not really fair to the children.

Anyway, a very thoughtful and well-researched post. Thank you.

i genetically have inherited little patience and unfortunately, my daughters have inherited that trait from me.

being only three girls of little patience in one house, some days it’s really hard to keep cool.

we try really hard, but it’s a daily battle.

one that’s worth perfecting though.