Tuesday 14 June 2011

Being a parent - what does it mean?

I am a parent. I didn't really think about what that meant initially. I never read a job description, in fact I just did it. One day I was a pregnant woman the next I had responsibility.
I suppose because we can all do it no one ever actually thinks about it and certainly not in the excitement of buying all the cots, and clothes, and other baby paraphernalia. Being a parent sort of takes second place. I mean it can't be that hard, everyone does it.
Initially being a parent means feeding your baby and watching it grow but as they get older and change so does the parental role.
I was over at Living with Kids reading about going to childrens' parties and finding out they can be a lot more grown up than one thinks as parents give way to pester power and I understood why they did and realised that perhaps my thinking that I am too harsh is not so wrong after all.
I think of being a parent as being able to bring up my children to be responsible, compassionate adults who contribute to the world around them. It is a lifetimes work and it means that I will have to be more parent than best friend. It means I will be horrid and mean and that I won't understand. It may even mean that I won't be liked and maybe not even loved but being a parent is not about me it is about them.
They say it is the toughest job and I now think I believe them!

7 comments:

The mum of all trades said...

My mother in law said to me when I had my first. Its a pressure on you all the time, but a pressure that you love and will thrive on.

Tattieweasle said...

The mum of all trades - what a wonderful way of putting it!

Expat mum said...

Ah but Tattie - pop over to my new blog post to see the rewards.

Wally B said...

I'm still learning:)

Spencer Park said...

My mum and dad still pick me up.

It really is a hard job - but easy at the same time (if that makes sense?)

Tattieweasle said...

Expatriate mum - oooh I will!
Legend in his own lunchtime - you and me both!
Spencer park - so do mine and yes it is easy and hard at the same time weird isn't it?

Iota said...

I think the culture we live in at the moment makes being a parent particularly hard. My mum tells me she thinks she had a much easier time. I'm sure that's true.

Go on you know you want to...

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