Learning to Parent

It`s funny I thought it might come more natural. I thought I would be better at it. It is very clear I have a lot to learn, but how many books on the subject do I need to read?

My children and other children have both similarities and differences. Complexity and exhaustion run my life. I have given up at times throwing my frustration into the air and other times I have witnessed joyful times of development. I have fainted from exhaustion and I have been filled with great strength. I have lost heart and have been greatly encouraged through it all.

I still have many years ahead. Oh forgive me my mistakes children. Forgive my foolishness, ignorance, and laziness.

-THE CONFESSIONS OF A PARENT

"A happy parent is a good parent"

The desire to be a good parent is natural, but becoming one is not. Every mother or father desires to be seen as good in the eyes of their children. We want our children to recognize our sacrifices for them so that they would know that we love them. This is our hope anyway...

Often times I am at a loss as I try to herd my children into a direction we need to go. I try to be mindful of them and their needs. I try to encourage them, but they love to disobey, they enjoy watching me transform into an angry daddy. It is almost like they want to see my bad side, they want to test me to see what I would do if they did XXXX or YYYY.

It seems when they grow tired of my kindly disposition they do something to get a different kind of reaction. If I was never home or did not look after them perhaps they would be on their best behavior as to win my affection. But they know I love them and that if I am angry I will still welcome them.

For who can hate their own? What evil would posess parents to hate their offspring, or to put a yoke of despair on them. Parents who cause their children to sin...it would be better to have them throw into the water with a millstone around their neck (drown to death). These are parents who sell their children or murder them, or kill their spirits with insults.

Within all of us in the potential to do great harm to anybody, ourselves, or our children. Our selfish and sinful nature can be the source of great misery and pain in our families. As we learn to parent our kids, we often need to take time to look at ourselves. Maybe our behavior or difficulties are afflicting our children or creating a negative environment for them. We are not always the cause of our children`s problems but we have a big role to play.

Becoming a parent means that you will come face to face with issues of who you are and who your children may become. This should inspire us to pray all the more fervently for ourselves and for their futures.

Bless them God and be kind to them, as you have been kind to us. May you give them grace and favor with you. Teach them and teach us O God. Let us cherish the days we have to grow together as a family. Amen.