When you become a parent, it is both exciting and terrifying. Of course you want the absolute best for your kids but at the same time you feel the weight of the world coming down on you. You’re not only responsible for your own wellbeing now but also for the wellbeing of your offspring. Parenthood and its journey is thankless at times but it really is the most precious and treasured experience!
Your purpose now is to set the best example you can be and you want to provide your children with comforts and opportunities that were not made available to you.
Exhausted, overwhelmed and intrigued with your little tikes, you trudge through those baby and toddler years. These little blessings fill your heart with warmth as they look at you through their beautiful innocent eyes. You are their world and they are yours!
Before you know it, it is time for them to go to school. Anxieties set in as you let go of their hands and the elementary age kids climb onto the bus for the first time and you watch as they are driven away into this big and scary world. Over the next few years they begin to find their way socially and academically. During these years the question why seems to surface a lot. As you ride the waves of growth with them, they make you feel so proud.
Next the teen years set in and although you love them more than ever, your heart is broken time and time again as these teens want to spend less and less time with you. You challenge them to stay focused on education and ethics although the social scene and hormones create a constant battle. Soon they are towering over you and begin to dispute just about every word that comes out of your mouth.
Somehow they find their way through the limitless energy and arrogance and at some point in adulthood they realize you did know a little more than they gave you credit. Soon the cycle starts over again and this time around you get to play the part of a fun grandparent while they own the responsibilities of being a parent.
The journey of parenthood can be bumpy at times but creating the gift of life really is a true miracle, heartfelt and valued. If you’re not a parent, reach out and mentor a child, serve a parental role to someone who is in need, it will give back in ways you could never imagine!
Click here to connect with a South Eastern Michigan Mentoring Program.
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