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I have learned this
lesson well over the past 17.6 years....parenting is not for the faint of
heart. When the babies first come it
takes every ounce of physical strength you have to push them into this
world...and every ounce of physical strength as they tire you out by eating
around the clock. :) Then as they grow, it takes every ounce of
self-control not to succumb to their one track mind - ME FIRST.
Adolescence brings on a whole new set of challenges as they are testing
their wings (not fully formed) to fly.
This time of life takes every ounce of creative discipline,
unconditional tough love, focus and tireless consistency.
There is a saying
"It was the best of times and the worst of times." I fully understand that saying now that I
have three teenagers in the house. I
think I have heard it all in the past three years. Rarely does anything surprise me that they
say or do. There are days when you feel loved, but their choices keep you up at
night. There are nights when you rest
well, but your strength is gone by 7am after you try and get them to school on
time. There are times when you wonder if
you are teaching them what they need to know to be productive, respectful, God-fearing
citizens of this world. You wonder if
you have done enough or too much or not enough for them. You pray and try not to worry, but you do
anyway. You read parenting books and
articles year round hoping to find something that will help you connect and be
a better parent. All your energy goes
first to them. Your thoughts, your
choices, your actions put their well-being at the forefront.
Before you have
kids, nobody tells you of this marathon you must endure. They tell you of only the easy, the cute, and
the good things. You don't realize what
is coming...and it's probably a good thing you don't because if it were
broadcasted how hard parenting is no one would have kids! LOL.
Parenting can lift your spirits unlike anything else or make your spirit sink lower than
the black hole is deep. There is great
joy and great sadness. The job comes with
extreme emotions swinging like a pendulum.
Children are the light of your life and the challenge of a lifetime.
I cherish our kids...even in the hard times when I want to sell them at a yard sale for
free. I wouldn't trade them for anyone
else's kids even when I'm so bone weary I can't speak complete sentences. I endure.
I press on. I protect and
instruct and enjoy....day after day being thankful for each moment I have them
in my home.
Why is the option of
giving up not an option when it comes to parenting?
Because I know the
day is coming when I will wake up and
not have to get them on the bus anymore.
I will not have to pack lunches or add money to their lunch accounts. There will be no more homework to harp
on. No more parent teacher
conferences. No crazy chauffeuring here
or there. No more cheering at games or
events. No friends dropping by or making
the meal stretch to feed more than it was intended. The days are coming when I will get a raise
because they have their own car insurance.
I know that there are days coming when I won't hear someone banging on
the bathroom door yelling, "Don't take all the hot water!!" There are days coming when my car will be in
the driveway and I won't wonder if someone has left enough gas in it so I can
to get to work the next day. There are
days coming when I will miss their hugs because they will be out on their own
living their lives apart from me.
I realize that I
won't stop being a parent just because they left the house and the next phase
might be even harder than this one. So
for now, I endure and love them and bite my tongue and love them and enforce consequences
and love them and find creative ways to let them know the universe doesn't
revolve around them and love them... even when I am exhausted and at my wits
end and out of creative resources. For me, I would choose no other option.
Parenting is not for
the faint of heart.
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