As a parent, I spend a lot of time, critiquing and criticizing other peoples parenting styles. I read articles from other types of societies, other countries, constantly trying to better myself, educate myself on how to be the "perfect parent". I'm the baby of 4 and I have recently become extremely aware of how differently all of my siblings and myself parent our children, and we all differ from how our parents raised us. But why? After talking to my sibling I realized that we are all trying to improve, my parents have obviously done a wonderful job raising us, for we all see the world, and what it is, and want to make our children better.
I spent some time with my family in Arizona recently and I left my oldest son with my sister while I ran an errand. When I got back she said something about my son being a lot to handle, more emotionally than anything. He's generally calm, polite, well behaved, but he is a tad bit OCD. And with that comes a lot of emotional "annoyances".
I was somewhat dumb founded by the idea that anyone would think my son was a lot to handle, usually people are so impressed with him, until I realized that my sister is the perfect parent, for HER children...and that I am a perfect parent, for MINE.
I believe in order to the universe. A chaos theory causes me anxiety, probably due to my own OCD tendencies. Not necessarily fate, or destiny, but...rightness, opportunity, faith in a higher power, a just God, a fair God.
I know that my children were giving to me with purpose. Because I am capable of being the perfect fit, for them. I have the ability to set them up for success, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
As a parent I don't take this duty lightly, and neither should any other parent. It is in OUR hands to truly change the future. Our world is broken, falling apart, sad, weak. But it has so much potential. Teach your little ones, teach them to be honest, kind, brave, sincere, gentle, faithful, trusting, trustworthy, self sufficient, clean, humble. Teach them in the ways of the Lord, not the ways of the world. teach them to value purity, chastity, honor. Teach them every action, good or bad has a consequence. Teach them that they are capable. Educate them, on the things your heart is prompted to teach them, not simply how to pass a test in school, but how to pass the tests of life. Teach them how to be successful.
My point is...TEACH THEM. It is NO ONE'S responsibility to teach and educate your children, but YOURS.
I am the perfect parent for my children, because I am TRYING. I am NOT perfect, and I am NOT a perfect parent in general. But because I am trying, because I am striving to do what I know must be done, I know i am the right person for this job, the only person for this job. If I was ever out of the picture there are few I would trust with this ever important job of raising my children, but those whom I would trust know who they are. I trust them because I know they would try...and that's all the Lord expects of us in this life, is to try our hardest, to do our best.
