Parenting

Parents.

I remember distinctly what it was like to grow up in a family where the parents gave you the freedom to.......
...voice your opinions.......
....make your choices ......and then guide you as to what is right and what is not....
.....be your own person.

Well! To many of you this may sound to be a bit too idealistic.........but then hey! let's face it, it was ideal..... at least for me..... it was.......more in hindsight though!!!

Growing up for me was a very interesting time....if anything!!!

The fighting to keep a kitten rescued from a pool.............coming home crying just because I got called a name by the other kids.......singing loudly in the shower.....fighting for the TV remote.....rushing out to play just when homework was mentioned...........sometimes even rushing out just for the heck of it.....the tantrums.....things flying towards the wall.....doors banging...........introducing "best friends" whom I may have met just a few days ago......

.....the blind expectation that my parents would unquestioningly accept whatever it was that was the "Most Important Thing" for me at that time...........

wow!!! If I had a child like me, I wonder if I would have been able to handle "me" with the finesse my parents did!!!

Now, as I look at my kids, I wonder.........will I ever measure up? will I ever be the same kind of parent to them as my parents were to me? will I be good enough?

Every tantrum, every teardrop, every smile, every laugh, .............I keep looking back......what would my parents do if it was me.....keeps me from getting over-confident......makes me take the right step....always!!

Love you Ma & Pa.....I am who I am because of you.....

...and I know I could never be a failure as a parent..... because I always had you both for guidance....the Best Parents in the world!!