Parenting: A Journey of Growing with Our Children

Feb 18

Do you ever wonder what your baby will look like before they are born? How many of us were experiencing the tremendous excitement and joy along with the anxiety of welcoming a new life into our family? How many of us were amazed by our toddlers who were developing quickly day by day? How many of us became ambitious when our children started school, hoping to see them to shine throughout their life?

Years passed by, and they are now pre-teens or teens. How many times are we frustrated with recurring conflicts with them? How many times do we feel scared about them drifting away from the right track and engaging in unhealthy or even illegal activities? How many times do we feel regret and guilt after we yell or argue with them? How many times do we wake up in the middle of the night with intense self-doubt about our approach and parenting skills?

On the other hand, how many times are we thrilled about how insightful and thoughtful they are? How many times are we grateful for how healing and therapeutic they can be for us? How many times are we proud of the caring and loving human beings they are growing into?

With a 12-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter, I'm sure I’m not the only parent who understands these feelings. I've experienced the frustrations of repeated mistakes, the challenges of navigating boundaries, the impatience of busy mornings and late nights, the anxieties about their future, and the concerns that arise from parent-teacher conferences. I’ve also felt that pang of worry when their views differ from my own.

My own parenting journey has been a continuous learning experience, filled with adjustments and valuable insights. With time, I’m happy and proud to share that I feel more confident and relaxed in my role as a parent. We've established a routine together that has brought more organization and connection to our daily lives.

My son confides in me, sharing his little secrets (which I always keep, of course!), and he often reflects on his day with a positive outlook, even when things have been tough. He encourages me to prioritize self-care, reminding me to love myself. He feels comfortable sharing his worries and struggles, and after our conversations, he'll often say, "Mom, I feel so much better now. I'm so glad you're like a mental doctor!" He expresses his love and affection openly and humorously. My daughter snuggles close, telling me she chose the perfect mom and praying for me when she senses I'm not feeling my best. She expresses her needs and wants clearly and confidently and stands up for herself with grace and strength.

There are many more stories I could share – stories of growth, joy, laughter, and even some tears. My personal experiences, combined with professional knowledge, have given me the confidence to support and guide other parents on this incredible journey.

I'd like to end with a beautiful quote from my son: "Mom," he said, "You became a mom the same time I was born, so you're the same age as me, not even a minute older. It's okay if you make mistakes, and I hope you're okay when I do too. We grow older together, and we grow up together." What a wonderful way to look at it!