Parenting, the best job

I had a wonderful conversation recently with the parent of one of my class participants. I have known this family for quite awhile and I always enjoy connecting with them to see what's been going on. This parent shared some things that he is concerned about with his daughter. It was interesting talking with him and making the comparisons to the fears that I have for my son. It really opened my eyes. As Oprah would say, I had an A HA moment. And, it was a big one.

I tend to get consumed by life. This isn't probably too out of the ordinary. I'm sure we all find ourselves at one time or another focusing inward on what is going on TO us instead of what is going on AROUND us. It isn't a bad thing, as long as we learn to open our eyes and ears to the world so we can learn from others.

Unfortunately, I have been caught up in my own personal world. Even though the news wasn't positive, it was good for me to just listen to this parent describe what has been going on with his family. I didn't offer advice or tell him not to worry. You see, I felt a strong kinship to what he was saying - parent to parent. It was important for me to just listen and for him to know that he was not being judged for his fears or actions when it came to his daughter.

It can be difficult to raise a child, regardless of his/her age or abilities. It can also be the most rewarding experience in our lives. One we would never trade for the world. Yet, the pain can be so intense at times that it makes us question what we, as parents, are doing wrong, or why our family was chosen by a higher power to experience the hardships. If we are truly digging into the process of parenting a child, we are going to feel the pain, and heartache, and guilt, and joy, and intense love, and pride in our child.

This parent was feeling all of these emotions at one time. The same way I was feeling all of these emotions. Our emotions were triggered by completely different circumstances. However, it was so helpful for me to be reminded that this is normal. I'm not alone. No parent is alone. If parenting was easy, we wouldn't be doing it right.