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My Role as a Parent Isn’t Just to Make My Kids Happy
“I just want my children to be happy,” is a common trap many parents fall into. Sure, there are countless things that can bring kids joy: endless screen time, a bathtub full of chocolate, or letting them loose in a toy store with a credit card. But I’m not here to indulge in that madness.
As a parent, my primary goal isn’t to chase after fleeting moments of happiness; it’s to nurture my kids into becoming fulfilled individuals. Happiness is a capricious creature, and seeking constant joy can be as numbing as a lack of it.
When we prioritize happiness above all, we inadvertently teach our kids that any moment they feel down is a sign of failure. A little sadness? Ice cream sundae to the rescue! Feeling bored? New toys to the rescue! When they get rowdy, we park them in front of the TV. What we’re really teaching them is that external stuff can fill the void, but happiness isn’t found in material things.
My job isn’t to keep them happy; it’s to ensure they are safe and healthy. If I’m going to wish for something for my kids, it’s not merely happiness. I want them to experience love, in all its complexities. I want them to tackle challenges with both intelligence and grace. I hope they embark on adventures within their minds and hearts, discovering treasures hidden deep inside.
I want them to cultivate lifelong curiosity, to crave knowledge, and to thirst for new experiences. I want them to embody empathy and compassion towards others. I want them to be generous, kind, and driven to make a positive impact on the lives they encounter. I want them to believe in their worth and the significance of even the smallest contributions.
I wish for them to be confident and to face their fears regularly, unearthing courage along the way. I want them to brim with creativity and ideas, exploring and experimenting with whatever piques their interest. I want them to take risks, stumble, fail, and learn to rise again with scraped knees and healed hearts. I want them to understand the power of “try again” and “next time.”
My aspirations for them don’t come wrapped in the flightiness of happiness; they require effort, time, and commitment on my part. This entails continuous self-education, striving to be my most authentic self—whether they’re present or not. It means diving into subjects like nutrition, child psychology, crafting, and whatever else they’re interested in.
It demands I confront my own fears and limitations, allowing them to express themselves freely while I remain understanding of their quirks. It means problem-solving in the heat of the moment when they rush to me in tears and knowing when to step back as they navigate their own struggles.
Compassion, love, and understanding must overflow, even when my energy is low. It calls for courage and faith as they tackle challenges I’ve never faced myself. I need to be able to say, “I don’t know. Let’s figure it out together.” Sometimes, the best I can offer is simply being there.
Parenting is undoubtedly one of the toughest jobs I’ve ever undertaken. It’s also incredibly rewarding, filled with love, growth, and sometimes tears. I aspire to be the parent my kids will admire and confide in when they need guidance or a listening ear.
Just wishing for our children’s happiness is easy. Teaching them to create lives rich in meaning and connection is a far more formidable challenge, one we’re all still navigating. For more insights on navigating parenting, check out this informative article on our other blog.
In conclusion, it’s not about simply making my kids happy; it’s about equipping them with the tools to live meaningful lives. If you’re interested in further exploring the journey of parenting and home insemination, check out Make a Mom and Facts About Fertility.