Parenting Truths

So – I’m going to be writing for “Today’s Mama”, my assigned area: Parenting.

Obviously something I know absolutely nothing about.

Go figure.

If only they’d asked my opinion on snorkeling, or mountain climbing, or advanced particle physics.

{Query: why advanced particle physics? Is there such a thing as unadvanced particle physics? It would appear the title particle physics is sufficiently intimidating in itself, wouldn’t you agree?}

Yet then I feel certain I could have bluffed my way through. (You know, like on high school essay questions).

You can’t bluff your way through parenting.

It is, as the wise sage Oprah Winfrey said oh so many years ago “The hardest job in the world”. (And this from a woman with dogs and a staff).

But it’s true. And the reason parenting is so difficult? Because you never ever ever get a day off.

Really. Never ever ever.

Not even when your baby has become a man. With those odd looking man feet and man stubble on his chin and man smells and those weird man ideas about how his closet should be organized. Even then he’s still your baby and you worry whether he’s happy and has he eaten properly and are those nasty people at work being mean to him and if they are you should march your mean ass self right in there and give them a good talking to.

And if that isn’t possible (which it obviously isn’t  you wonder whether your brother still knows those guys who’ll break someone’s legs for a case of beer. Then you cringe inwardly and think “for shame” upon yourself and remember your baby boy is all growed up now (at which you’ll tear up a bit and feel horribly old) and is ready to take on the world just like you were when you were 22.

Which surely was only four or five years ago…..

When you have a child, when you raise a child, part of your heart is with them constantly. You will never be completely alone, within yourself again. There is always something, something missing. Only those times, (which will I promise, become more and more rare), when each of your children is safe beneath your roof will you feel entirely complete and at ease.

So to all of you lucky people with small children scampering underfoot… Sticky hands and faces, refusing to take naps, delighting in screaming for no apparent reason during that quiet moment in church or at the market, scattering “economy size” boxes of cereal across the kitchen floor when you dare run to the bathroom for five seconds – to each of you I proclaim: savor it all. Because these are the final, fleeting moments of peace you are ever going to enjoy.

Really.

Tags: babies, boys, growing up, parenting, peace, teens