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!