parenting

Parenting is by far the hardest, most heartbreaking, most wonderful thing i have ever been allowed and trusted to do. I am so honored that God gave me this soul to take care of who fills my heart with complete joy and laughter. I also wonder sometimes what God was thinking when he entrusted a soul into my care while here on earth. Half the time i don't even know what to do and question myself if i am parenting the right way. I am always learning when to discipline, when to ignore, and when to join in. I think a lot of it comes with knowing your child, knowing his boundaries, knowing when he is being defiant, and when he is just plain tired. Like most kids, Noah is someone that HAS to go to bed early, and in his own bed to get a good nights rest. If he is up late, the next day is usually not a fun one. I used to be very stressed out if i knew Noah was going to be up late (usually spending the night at a grandparents house) because the whole next day he is whiny and tired and usually he will cry at the drop of a hat. I have learned over the years that although those days aren't fun, they won't hurt him in the long run. Every now and then it is just fine for him to stay up late and deal with the tired day that follows.

That being said.. i am the parent and I know my child. If my child is exhausted and i know we are seconds away from a total meltdown, and i chose to ignore him when he is in a bad mood, that is my prerogative. You don't have to like it. When you have your own kids or if you already have kids, you can parent them the way you would like and you can chose YOUR battles. But when that day comes, i hope you have support and not people telling you what you should and shouldn't do with your kid or what they would or wouldn't do. Although parenting is wonderful, it is hard and it is heartbreaking at times. If you are a parent, you understand. If you are not a parent, you have no idea. All the babysitting in the world didn't prepare me for the wonderful world of being a parent! Thankfully, God has enough trust and faith in me to take care of this soul and learn how to be a better person by being a mom.