Parenting

                                                                         Parenting

Parenting is the act or process of raising a child. It is when an adult takes care of a younger child or sibling.  My parents were raised by their father and their older siblings, because their moms passed away when they were young. My dad was 6 months old when my paternal grandmother passed away and my maternal grandmother passed away when my mom was 6 years old.

When we think of parenting, we automatically think of a mother and father raising a child in the home together. There’s a new term called co-parenting, where the biological parents may live in different homes, and they share the rearing of a child or children. There are other instances where a grandparent, adoptive parent or foster parent takes care of a child. They do this by providing food, clothing, shelter, physical, psychological, social, emotional and spiritual care for a child.  

For all intents and purposes, I would like to share some information about parenting that I have observed in my lifetime. Parents play a vital role in their children’s life.

Parents are teachers, chauffer’s, counselors, protectors, intercessors, guidance counselors, caregivers, attentive listeners and the list goes on and on. They promote health and healing. They wipe their children’s tears away or put a Band-Aid on their scraps or ‘boo boos.’ They are always near to make sure that their children have a well-rounded life. They encourage them to get involved in sports, dance, piano lessons and cultural activities.  They help them explore new, innovative things and help them capitalize on their strengths and help them recognize and strategize areas of improvement.

Parents are responsible for their children’s growth and development. They make sure that their children grow up in a safe and healthy environment. They protect them from unhealthy relationships and warn them of impending danger from outside influences that may deter them from their destiny and purpose. They keep a watchful eye and listening ear out for those in their sphere of influence that may try to steer them in the wrong direction. They will go to any extent to make sure their children are successful.

Parents set the atmosphere in their home. Children mimic what they see and hear. Parents are responsible for preventing children from hearing and seeing things on tv, radio and social media that they shouldn’t hear at a young age. That’s why they call certain movies PG (Parental Guidance), and television shows PC (Parental Control). Parents have rights as to what their children take part in school, group activities and field trips. They must sign a waiver for certain things they are interested in being involved in. Parents are the gatekeeper for what their children hear and see. Children are not little adults and should not be treated as such. They should be allowed to grow up according to their age and developmental stages. Give them the best life you can give, because there is only one road to travel to life and adulthood. They don’t get a chance to do it all over again.

One last thing to remember, Parents never stop parenting. They will always be involved in their children’s life. They should take every opportunity to share, lead, guide and advise as much as is allowable. It’s not wise to overstep your bounds by giving too much advice. It is equally important to always pray for everything your child needs.  The rewards are long lasting. You have earned those bragging rights when they are successful, progressive and even when they are trying to find their way. Always lend an listening ear and encourage no matter what.     

 Photo by Humphrey Muleba on Unsplash