| Parents unite! Complex as it is, it is possible to rear | | | | these situations and issues come though, don't we just |
| children into responsible, happy and well-adjusted | | | | wish that there is someone who could give us advice? |
| adults. From our end as parents, it will take patience | | | | We seek out that special parent who has gone |
| and commitment. However, it will also take wisdom | | | | through the same ordeal we are now in yet came out |
| and experience. This is where our support system and | | | | triumphant. How we wish we had a support group to |
| access to those who know will play a big role. No | | | | discuss certain "case studies" so much like our own |
| doubt parenting has its priceless rewards. No treasure | | | | and find a list of solutions and alternatives. Then we |
| could equal having our own flesh and blood continue | | | | could go back to our parenting with renewed |
| the family line and seeing facets of ourselves in sons | | | | confidence and hope instead of feeling hopeless and |
| and daughters. We all look forward to seeing our | | | | distraught. Being parents, being good parents is |
| grandchildren around us during visits and warm family | | | | challenging. No, it's not just challenging. It's tough! It is |
| gatherings. Grandchildren (well supported and taken | | | | more than just providing for the material needs of our |
| cared of by their parents of course) are the rewards | | | | children. We'd like to be there for them, raise them to |
| of old age. It is a fact though, that being a parent is | | | | be winners or at least equip them with what they need |
| stressful and demanding. We are faced with situations | | | | to make a go at life. On top of being parents, we are |
| that would require Solomon's wisdom. Unfortunately, as | | | | also faced with the challenges of our own careers, our |
| most of us know, we are no Solomon. We face a | | | | relationships and our dreams. We have inner conflicts |
| thousand and one issues everyday. For most of us | | | | that we have to deal with. We have seemingly |
| who have been in this parenting business for more | | | | mundane tasks that are a necessary part of life. Don't |
| than 10 years, we found out that just when we knew | | | | we just wish we could find out how other parents |
| all the answers, they changed all the questions! The | | | | cope? Just maybe, they have strategies to share with |
| issues differ from pregnancy to babies, from babies to | | | | us or us with them. We all have our unique |
| toddlers, from toddlers to pre-schoolers. These go on | | | | experiences that when shared could enrich each other. |
| and on until our precious children reach adulthood and | | | | It's really all about sharing what we know, what we |
| have families of their own. This might sound scary to | | | | have gone through, what works and what may not |
| first timers. However, we must remember that for | | | | work. It's all about us and our children. It's all about being |
| every stressful situation, they are magical moments | | | | parents and what we could do to make each other |
| and lots of them. We just have to learn to appreciate | | | | better parents. Parenting is actually one long roller |
| them when they come and not be bogged down with | | | | coaster ride for a lot of us. We could either be alone |
| the challenges of the day. Children, trying as they are | | | | and agonize all through out the ride or with the help of |
| most of the time, are a great source of joy. When | | | | others, enjoy it to the fullest. |