The best thing about being a parent

I find it scary in our society that more and more couples are getting together and choosing not to have children.  The census done in 2011 (results of the latest census are not yet available - and maybe a little problematic) show that the proportion of couples without children has increased (28% in 1976 compared to 37.8% in 2011).  This means that increasingly our society is being made of up of adults who don't experience living with children on a regular basis and it is debatable how much they think about the impact their decisions make on the upcoming generation.

So not too get too political this early in the morning, I would like to draw their attention to a few things they are missing out on.  Not all parents experience all these things, and depending on mood I could easily run a case for why not to have kids, but I am feeling loving this morning.  So to make a start - as a mum the magical feeling of your baby growing inside of you, watching your stomach move, feeling the kicks.  Birth, their first cry, and first cuddle.  Your baby smiling at you and laughing. Their first steps. The first time they say mum or dad.  Feeling their first tooth come through.  Sending them off to school.  The delight on their face when they read to you.  Homemade mother's day cards.  The pride they experience at improving and showing off the positive effort comments on their school reports.  Them making you a cup of tea, or the first time they make a meal.  The realisation that you are enjoying having an intelligent conversation with them.  Hugs, nighttime cuddles and just the pure joy of watching your child grow and develop in front of you.

Through work, volunteering, running the house, speaking with friends the care and growth of our children, all our children is there, in the back of my mind, the decisions I make.  It puts a perspective that helps anchor my morality, my spirituality and my own growth as a human being.

What do you think is the best thing about being a parent?

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