Things I’ve learned about being a parent

Hum…………………………………………………………………………..…………………….thinking………………………………...patience…….………………………………………………………………………………..……….almost……………………………………………………………….………………………………………………got it.

Here’s a few words to describe how it feels to be a young parent, joy, terror, pride, protective, guilt, challenging, patience, fun, sadness, exhilaration, anger, happiness and much more.

As an older parent you grow more confident which changes your perspective on life so here are some examples of words to describe older parents, joy, terror, pride, protective, guilt, challenging, patience, fun, sadness, exhilaration, anger, happiness and much more.

No matter how you say it parenting is the ultimate high.  I would do it over in a nano second without question but I would most likely make just as many mistakes as before.

When I think about it I had it easy my kids were not dare-devils, they challenged me with what I would call normal problems.  I can’t imagine what Houdini’s parents said when he was a young boy and they caught him hanging upside down from the roof in a straight jacket. “Hey you didn’t eat your breakfast, you get down here right now”  “I told you that gutter was loose”  “Just wait ‘til you father gets home”.  I really feel for Mr. & Mrs. Houdini, of course things turned out pretty well (except for that last trick) but how were they to know. 

This brings up some questions. 

How can a parent be sensitivity when giving advice so you don’t appear judgmental or controlling?  I’m not sure, I’m a guy so sensitivity is not in my wheelhouse. Honesty and calmness is what comes to my mind.

At what age do you stop parenting, any age? Ideally when your children are grown but occasionally you will be pulled back through this parental vortex and provide unwanted advice even though you believe it may be worthy.  The thing is you’re always a parent, it’s a disease let’s call it, parentitis.  So let me appoligze now for anytime in the future that I give unwanted advice, it's my disease parentitis that drove me to do it.

My last thought is that I hope I can always remember what it’s like to be a parent so when the tables are turned and it becomes time for my kids to give me advice I will listen to it graciously before I automatically ignore it.  “Just Saying…..”