Today, May 11, 2024 is designated for birth mothers. Because I am going through the calendar of May, I’m sharing this older post about parenting.

When children are young, they look to their parents as superheroes – men and women of steel – those who can make all their boo-boos better and dry their tears when they are hurting.  When they get older, the mask and cape quickly disappear, and it soon becomes apparent that parents aren’t much different than anyone else.  They have problems – they can’t do everything – they make mistakes.

When they become teens, suddenly those original super heroes have now been relegated to not having a clue or being absolutely ignorant.  It isn’t until they begin their own families or life on their own that parents once again get the honor they’re deserve.

Parenting is probably one of the most difficult occupations out there.  No one tells you that your life is going to change completely.  No one tells you that your kids will get broken bones, hurt feelings and need to protection from dangerous situations. I didn’t expect numerous trips to the ER. I wasn’t prepared for snakes, bugs, baby ducks, frogs and many other critters.  How could I know the pain I would feel when one of them was hurt in any way?

Parenting is tough. You feel guilty going to bed with a sink full of dishes. You have so much to do, but your child wants a bedtime story. You’d really love a new pair of shoes, but school starts soon and the kids need supplies. You put your plans on hold so you can visit your child’s school and share hot lunch with them, or be their ‘show and tell’ item for the day. You cry when you’re not there to say goodnight and tuck them in for the night.  When the cares of the world are hanging on you – when you feel like a complete failure – when you think you can’t go on – you press on.  You stay the course.  You fly, because you will always be their super hero, even when your cape is in shreds.