What is your favorite part of being a parent?
I love the teaching aspect. I love that it goes both ways. At first I thought I was the teacher, however after hearing Cali repeat my not-so-wise-words to her doll one morning I quickly realized who was really teaching whom. Being a parent gives you a hearty dose of being both a student and a teacher.
I also love the part of seeing a new and improved version of yourself. As I watch our kids reach and exceed mine and Calvin’s abilities there is such a sense of wonderment in seeing them achieve and knowing we were able to assist in the process. I do believe it feels better than achieving ourselves.
I also enjoy the camaraderie of being a co-parent—there is real satisfaction in having something so big and wonderful in common with Calvin as our kids.
A new thing I have just discovered and enjoy about being a parent is the spouses of our children—new family members that have 20 or 30 + years of experiences and ideas to share and teach. It’s a huge bonus of parenting—a two for one deal of the best kind.
And one last favorite thing I love about being a parent is being so unconditionally loved. Whether it is Ande telling me I am angelic, Abe hugging me tightly and with a choked voice telling me how much he appreciates me, Ty sending a daily e-mail with buongiorno princepessa in the subject line, Ray checking up on me, Cali telling me frequently that she enjoys my company, Grace asking advice for things she knows better than I, or Trevor calling to talk to “The Neighbor” . . . it is a grand gift to be loved so freely.
And there you have my favorite part of being a parent in one neat little bundle, Ande. Thanks for asking. (Up next week: Timely Tuesday)
I also love the part of seeing a new and improved version of yourself. As I watch our kids reach and exceed mine and Calvin’s abilities there is such a sense of wonderment in seeing them achieve and knowing we were able to assist in the process. I do believe it feels better than achieving ourselves.
I also enjoy the camaraderie of being a co-parent—there is real satisfaction in having something so big and wonderful in common with Calvin as our kids.
A new thing I have just discovered and enjoy about being a parent is the spouses of our children—new family members that have 20 or 30 + years of experiences and ideas to share and teach. It’s a huge bonus of parenting—a two for one deal of the best kind.
And one last favorite thing I love about being a parent is being so unconditionally loved. Whether it is Ande telling me I am angelic, Abe hugging me tightly and with a choked voice telling me how much he appreciates me, Ty sending a daily e-mail with buongiorno princepessa in the subject line, Ray checking up on me, Cali telling me frequently that she enjoys my company, Grace asking advice for things she knows better than I, or Trevor calling to talk to “The Neighbor” . . . it is a grand gift to be loved so freely.
And there you have my favorite part of being a parent in one neat little bundle, Ande. Thanks for asking. (Up next week: Timely Tuesday)
Readers, what’s your favorite part of parenting?
17 comments:
Did you take these pictures yourselves? So well-composed and color-balanced. I want to learn this.
Favorite part of parenting? Right now thinking of parenting makes me sad - next year, after college-bound is at-college, then I'll think about parenting as something other than just looming loss.
I love that I am always number one to my kids. I love Carter telling me I'm his best friend and hero. I might not be patient, creative, and 100% hands on, but that's okay, 'cause I'm still number one to them and the only one (okay maybe Bo is included in this :) )they know that can make everything better.
My favorite part of parenting is the wonder of seeing these amazing spirits and watching their lives unfold before me. Also, parenting has given me sooo much appreciation for Heavenly Father.
Really, this post made me cry and made me hope that I can be as good of a mother and mother-in-law as you someday!
Tonight my favorite part of parenting is when they all go to sleep. At the same time. I love seeing them sleep-
holding my kids hands when they are awake would be the next thing I love.
Hearing them laugh together.
Hmmm my mind is now going through all the other things that I love- I will miss them going back to school tomorrow
Thank you for liking parenting. I love you.
Beautiful words, Jane. I just love the appreciation that your children show to you -- how adorable is that daily email?? I only hope that my children will want to have that kind of contact with me once they are grown and gone away...
My favorite parts of parenting? Off the top of my head: being the one who can soothe any hurt with hugs and snuggles, watching my children love and help each other, and seeing them learn things I never imagined.
Oh, and learning to greater appreciate free agency, such a bittersweet gift...
I love watching my children being parents. I love watching them do it better than I did. I love that they make me feel like I did a good job and only remembering the my best moments and forgeting all my mistakes. I love that they laugh with me and not at me...well sometimes they laugh at me...and that's okay too!!! It is simply my finest work...I hope Heavenly Father and Mother feel that way about me too?!?
I love seeing my children grow wise and strong. To want them to have better and do better than Derek and I!
I wish you and Calvin would write a parenting handbook or something, but then I may need to have more kids so I can start fresh, ha.
I love it when my kids make random declarations of love or say things like, "You're the best mom in the world" or "You and dad are my best friends".
Even though Emmett is still very young, one thing I love about raising him is seeing how he trusts me. He trusts me for his safety, and his comfort, he looks to me for encouragement as he tries new things, when a scary guy walks in the room (like the doctor) he runs to my side cause he feels safe with me. It sure makes me feel loved. And nothing beats feeling loved by that little guy.
This is a beautiful post! My favorite part about being a parent is that I actually feel good at it. Like it is something I was meant to do. I doubt myself in almost every other aspect of my life but being a parent brings me peace. (P.S. I grew up in Burley.)
Incredible family picture!!!
I love when they just run and jump with everything in their little bodies because they know that I will do whatever I can to catch them. I love the snotty and slobbery kisses. and the laughs. lots of laughs with a 3 year old and 1 year old. love that I can connect with my mom and mother in-law about things that only moms understand.
Your family is blessed to have you. You are an exceptional woman. It is wonderful that your grown children adore you and tell you so. Life has to be very good for you.
First of all, I LOVE that picture! I just love that I have been blessed to have a family who loves us. I love what I have learned, that can't be learned in any other way that parenthood.
Definitely the unconditional love. I feel like I am truly who I am with my kids and while it isn't always pretty, they still love me. It's an incredible feeling.
there are a lot of other things, but love beats them all out.
I love watching them be happy. I love listening to them play with each other. I love watching them grow in kindness and confidence. I love seeing who they are turning into. I love the way they love so completely with no reservations.
I love how parenthood has changed me to be more loving, more patient, and more giving, and at the same time made me happier in myself.
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