The pot was boiling over. The timer blared. Alexa refused to pause the chaos, despite my repeated pleas. My toddler’s whining escalated, and the newborn’s cry pierced the room, demanding attention. My wife, still recovering, sat nearby, exhausted.
At that moment, everything converged. The weight of parenting — again — pressed down upon me, and I felt like I was juggling too many plates, unsure of which one to catch first.
Becoming a parent for the first time changed my life. Becoming a parent again has deepened it in ways I didn’t expect.
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As I welcomed our second child, I found myself navigating not only sleepless nights and diaper changes but also an unexpected emotional landscape — one marked by self-imposed pressure, quiet expectations, and the persistent balancing act of marriage, work, and family life.
In my role at Communio, a ministry focused on strengthening marriages and families through the Church, I spend my days helping others build resilient relationships. But even in this work, the challenges of my own home life remind me that no one is exempt from the weight of responsibility and the desire to “do it all.”
There’s the pressure I put on myself to meet deadlines, stay present for my spouse, and maintain a well-ordered household. And then there are the invisible expectations — both societal and internal — that whisper, “You should be able to handle this perfectly.”
What I’ve learned (and am still learning), is that this season isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.
In the quiet moments of rocking my newborn or reading a bedtime story to our oldest, I’m reminded that parenthood mirrors our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Just as I extend love and grace to my children, often without them knowing or asking, God extends His grace to me. And just like my toddler doesn’t need to prove his worth to earn my love, I don’t have to check every box to receive God’s.
This realization doesn’t take away the demands of life, but it reframes them. It nudges me to be gentler — with myself, my spouse, and even my children. I’m learning that keeping my marriage strong in this season doesn’t require grand gestures but small, consistent acts of love and service. A quick coffee date while the baby naps. Holding hands at the kitchen counter. Choosing to respond with patience instead of frustration.
And yet, as anyone with multiple children knows, having a newborn is like throwing a grenade in a pumpkin patch. Chaos inevitably follows. No matter how prepared we think we are, the adjustment feels overwhelming. This is where the Church can step in, and, in my experience, it has.
Since welcoming our second child, our church community has rallied around us — bringing meals, covering us in prayer, watching our older son, replenishing diapers, and gifting newborn essentials. This simple yet profound outpouring of love has lifted our family in moments of exhaustion. It’s a reminder that the Church is more than a place of worship; it’s a place of refuge and support, a visible extension of God’s care.
For churches and church leaders, I encourage a renewed focus on supporting new parents — especially those navigating the transition to parenting again. A phone call, a warm meal, or simply offering to sit with a restless toddler during service can go further than you realize. In seasons of many adjustments, support isn’t just helpful — it’s transformative.
In Mark 10:14, Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me … for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” In this, I find hope. Children approach the world with wonder and trust — qualities I want to embrace more fully as a parent and spouse.
So, to the new parents, the seasoned parents, and those stepping into this role once again — let’s give ourselves permission to let go of unrealistic expectations. Let’s lean into the grace God offers and find joy in the simplicity of being present.
And when the days feel overwhelming, let’s remember that our Father, full of patience and love, gently reminds us: You’re doing better than you think.
Eddie Morales is the director of marketing and communications at Communio, a nonprofit organization that equips churches to promote healthy relationships, marriages and the family.
