If nothing else, 2020 has provided a new perspective on daily life, especially to parents. Raising an impressionable little human and paving a safe path through the world may seem more daunting than ever in the face of current events. But parenthood is mostly about living in the present, embracing chaos, and enjoying ordinary moments that add up to a lifetime of memories. As the year we will never forget draws to a close, let’s take a moment to celebrate 20 reasons to be thankful for the gift of parenthood.

20. Being a parent makes you strive to be a better person. You’ll always have someone looking up to you, reminding you to model good decisions.

19. You’ll never be lonely...for the first dozen years at least. This year, loneliness has taken on new meanings, but parents of little ones probably can’t remember what being alone feels like.

18. Only through parenthood can you experience the full spectrum of human emotion. Parenting can make you cry tears of joy and break your heart - sometimes in a single day.

17. Becoming a parent gives your life a clear purpose. Though it can sometimes seem like the world’s most thankless job (endless diaper changing, around-the-clock feeding, and communicating through crying don’t offer much in return at the time), it is the most fulfilling thing you can do in the long run.

16. You’ll have an opportunity to relive (or recreate) your childhood. Being a parent gives you an excuse to stay young at heart and escape the reality of adulting. When you have a child, playing and being silly are basically job requirements!

15. By default, you are your child’s favorite person. The unconditional love that you see reflected in your child’s eyes is unlike any other - unique from the love you feel for your partner or your own parents.

14. You will gain newfound powers of resourcefulness and multi-tasking. Whether it’s keeping your child entertained with crinkly paper while waiting for an appointment or whipping up a delicious new meal out of old leftovers, you’ll develop unexpected life skills.

13. You will realize that mistakes happen...constantly. When you lose your cool or mess up, you can bounce back and redeem yourself just as easily as your little one does.