“Parenting” on Flickr.
“Parenting”
According to Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the word, parenting first showed up in writing, back when I was a child. What does it mean to parent? Parenting is a serious committment and takes time. Time spent on a child is worthwhile time. Time spent raising a child will pass in a blink of an eye. Parenting means never saying, “I don’t have time to help you.” Thank you to my own parents; you have been great parents for many, many decades!
Sometimes, parenting brings great pride and joy. Other times, parenting will cause a parent to shake a head, cry, become upset, and even say, “Help!”
I am in the teaching profession. We had “parent, advisor, student” conferences last night! Thanks to the parents that came. The student lead the conference! The student practiced introductions, handshaking, and eye contact. Always, there was plenty of praise by advisor and parent! Nevertheless, the parent-advisor-student also talked about ways the student could do even better in school! The student was encouraged to plan and think beyond the 2-4 years left in high school.
Attending this conference showed GOOD parenting! Giving this time to the student was time well spent! Three cheers for these families! So sad, for those families that didn’t show or bother to let someone know they couldn’t come.
Parenting….to love, to shelter, to listen, to guide and support, to prepare, and to let go… Take time parents to be a good parent. It’s worthwhile…
