I was going to write a post on this party I just had at my house. I was going to tell you all about it, but that will have to wait. Something different came up.
What makes a good parent? How will you know if you are going to be a good parent?
I realize it is a bit far down the path for ME to be asking these questions. The three kids hanging out in this house are being parented. How well they are being parented, that is anyone's guess. But, this question came up, how do you know if you are going to be a good parent?
Before I had kids, I never really considered if I would be a good parent or not. I am well educated, we have some money, I was married, I just assumed everything would be alright. I remember before Mac was born, going into Babies R Us to buy him some clothes. There was so much to choose from, I had no idea about what to buy, and I would walk out with nothing. Do not even get me started on the heart palpitations I had in selecting a stroller and a car seat. All the while, never once did it cross my mind that I wouldn't be a good parent. Let's see here, I can't even figure out what car seat to buy the kid, how is it that it never occurred to me that I wouldn't be a good parent?
I think that I just assumed I would be a good mother, because I loved Mac with all my being and soul. How could that be wrong? I look back at all the mistakes I made with him. I think about all the mistakes I will make with him tomorrow. But, at the end of the day, I love him with all my heart and soul and he knows that.
No matter how much he messes up or how angry he makes me, I will always love him. That is what makes me, for all my flaws, and let me tell you there are flaws, a good mother.
There are days when I know I am doing a good job, coaching him to be an independent individual. There are others, when I wonder why I even try. Parenting is like that. We have good days and bad days. We make mistakes, but as long as you love that child with you entire being, it will be alright.
That is my two cents on the topic. Your thoughts?
There really is no manual. I don't even look at my parenting books because the answer isn't there. I've gone to a parenting seminar and I only agree with some of the concepts that were discussed. As long as your kids know they are loved and they come out of their youth with good values for adulthood, that is all that matters. I remember having the same overwhelming panic the first time around, but what's meant to be is meant to be.
ReplyDelete