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PARENTING IS LIKE….
It was 9 p.m. on a Friday night. Having put my son to bed around 8, I was dressing up for a night out with my husband.
We had requested my in-laws to babysit, as it was my husband’s friend’s 40th birthday party. I’d gone the whole hog to dress up in a formal dress, full face of makeup etc. etc. Just as I was putting my heels on, my son began coughing. Over the years I’ve come to distinguish the different types of coughs, and I’m well-versed with various indicators of illness. Mothers are experts at determining how ill their child is on the basis of touch, feel and that elusive factor- the maternal instinct. This particular cough came straight from the chest, which soon became a recurrent and strong bout of hacking. Before long, he was throwing up.
Off came the heels and the beautiful dress, replaced by torn comfy sweats and my son’s head on my lap. Of course, after that he slept peacefully through the night 😉
Was I frustrated and upset? Yes of course! But I was far more concerned and worried. A parent’s heart has the ability to experience a multitude of feelings at the same time. The parent-child relationship really is the most unique in the world.
That Friday night, as I cuddled my son to sleep, I realised how conflicted parenting sometimes makes me feel. So, here’s my attempt at describing this inexplicable feeling.
Parenting is bittersweet
It’s a feeling unlike any other,
Quite hard to replicate and almost impossible to beat
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Parenting makes you strong
Nothing else compares,
It’s certainly no easy routine of dance and song
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Parenting also makes you weak
You often find yourself in situations
That test your resolve and make your eyes leak
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Parenting is hard! One particularly difficult feat
Is coming to terms with the feeling of your heart
moving outside your body, to its own beat
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Parenting is lovely too
Full of cuddles, laughs, and fun times
The happiest memories and cheerful hullabaloo
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Parenting is dirty
I certainly never imagined having poop on my clothes
At the age of thirty!
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Parenting is the best excuse. It’s truly great
that your child is your biggest responsibility
And everything else (work, home, friends, life) can wait
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Parenting makes you wise
Teaching you many important lessons-
It is life’s ultimate experiential prize
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Parenting also allows you to turn back time
You can jump in muddy puddles with your children
Giving no heed to the awful grime
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Parenting requires tremendous patience
Giving time and respect to your children
Is life’s real essence
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Parenting is a bumpy ride,
Each day heralds a different phase,
You’re learning on the job- there is no guide
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Parenting is also quite funny
Be prepared for many bumps and bruises
Along this hilarious journey
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Parenting is definitely hard to describe
There isn’t a single adjective to do it justice
It’s a multifaceted feeling- a vibe
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Parenting is happiness, frustration, laughs and tears
Beautiful memories, fights, hugs and kisses
Boundless joys, challenges, dreams and fears
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Parenting is love
Overwhelming, all-consuming, deep and true,
Just like your hand in a well-fitted glove
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Parenting is indeed a blessing,
To really understand it, you must join this exclusive club yourself
Till then, just keep guessing!
Picture taken on the night that inspired this post, just before everything came off!
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Do you agree with my thoughts on parenting? Please tell me what you think in the comments section below. Do share this post on your social media if it put a smile on your face!
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The Children’s Day Blog Train is hosted by www.prernawahi.com and www.vartikasdiary.com and I have written on the prompt “Parenting is like”.
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*This is not a sponsored post.
**Copyright in pictures and content belongs to nooranandchawla.com and cannot be republished or repurposed without permission from the author. As I am a copyright lawyer by profession, infringement of any kind will invite strict legal action.
Very well defined.
Thanks
Awww so so so true Noor. We all have been there. And this is just a mother’s instinct that off comes the heels and off comes the cloth and with the blink of an eye we are comforting our baby. It may be frustrating but at that moment that is the thing which seems right. So so so well written..
Thank you Aakanksha! So glad you liked it 🙂
Hahaha..very true, Noor. Parenting is a bittersweet experience that has its own charm. And, these are the moments we cherish throughout life… don’t we?;)
Oh yes absolutely!
Such a beautiful post😊 Parenting is after all a
rollercoaster journey full of hilarious moments,tantrums,innocence etc.You have shared the parenting journey very beautifully in verse form..Covers as you said all the bitter sweet moments😍Your son is lucky to have you😊
Thank you! I’m definitely the lucky one to have my son 🙂
A great post. It’s genuinely a rollercoaster ride being a parent but, at the end of the day, it’s worth the ride!! 🙂
Thank you! Yes absolutely worth every moment!
Ohh..I hope your son is better now..I agree parenting is a roller coaster ride that show us wide spectrum of emotions every day. loved your poem and each and every line truly describe the amazement of parenting journey. I am sure, all parents will co relate with this completely.
Yes he is better now, thanks for asking Surbhi 🙂 I’m so glad you liked the poem!
Wow. You have explained parenting so beautifully, Noor. “A parent’s heart has the ability to experience a multitude of feelings at the same time”. Could not agree more. Lovely post as always… 🙂
Thanks Arushi 🙂 So glad you liked it!
Noor, I was waiting for your post in this blog train.
Loved the balance that you have created between the heartfelt poem and the praragraphed matter. Yes, parenting is a bumpy ride and it cannot be explained. One has to experience it.
I remember in one of my India trips, I have also face somewhat similar incident when I was all set to attend one of my very close friend’s wedding and by the time I was going to step out of my house, my daughter, who was 1.5 years old, started to cough. Then what….same story that you have explained. I did feel bad but was satisfied that I was there for her when she needed me.
Thanks Alpana! So glad you liked the post! Yes, all of us parents in this ‘parenting club’ have been through these situations 🙂
Completely agree with each line of your poem Noor. Parenting is a mix of feelings and a big responsibility.
Yes absolutely!
We’ve all been there at some point during our parenting journey and it’s madly crazily frustrating. Organising everything and everyone for that one day or one night out, only for it all to come to nought! That you can still look upon it with compassion, that your worry superseded your frustration – that’s what’s amazing.
You do look gorgeous :-).
Thank you! Both for appreciating the post and for the compliment! 🙂
When you become parents, things get unusual, you plan something but situation changes altogether, and we have to react accordingly. Spouse becomes a luxury, but we still love our children no matter what, I guess that’s what parenting is all about. Your post is quite relating, I could relate to incidents happen with us too. Thanks for this lovely post-Mittali
So glad you liked it 🙂
I loved the title, parenting is like a poem, and such beautifully expressed in rhythmic way,indeed its a journey to experience else no one can know the beauty of ride. Happy mommying club..
Thank you! So glad you liked it!
yes yes yea!!! I can fully relate to all of it.. there are a lot of moments when i am torn between love for my kid and love for parties. We have our own ups and downs, but in the end our kids smile make it all worth it. I loved the witty poem and how it comprehensively covers all aspects of a mom’s life. Keep writing. m glad i read this.. 🙂
Thank you so much for reading and appreciating the post 🙂
I loved the poem, every work is so relatable. sorry for your spoilt party, but I guess we mums have to let go so many such things for kids sake specially for health. by the way you were looking great.
Thanks Ujjwal! Yes all of us moms are used to it by now. The best part of parenting is that it is totally unpredictable 🙂
So true Noor. You covered the bitter sweet moments of parenting nicely.
Thank you 🙂
Parenting journey is filled with ups and downs but I do believe that a little sacrifice can make it more menanimeanand be helpful in strengthening the bond. I’ve been there and can so much relate to this.
#thatmadramomreads
Glad you liked it!
awww loved it!!
🙂
That’s such a beautifully penned poem and yes it’s so true that we just love ride called parenting!
Glad you liked it!
Loved the way you penned the versus on the bitter-sweet journey of parenting. And yes! We all face that last moment poop, that fever just in time for the trip, that cold which spoils the party! Btw, you looking fab on the night 🙂
Thank you! Glad you liked it!
i am agree about all that you wrote but highly agree on this particular line “Parenting also makes you weak
You often find yourself in situations
That test your resolve and make your eyes leak”
Yes it does happen unfortunately! Glad you liked it
I totally agree with you. Everything else can wait. Ones you have kids, all priority is just and just KIDS. Parenting is new lessons to learn and teach both
Yes absolutely!
Beautiful verses. The poem is simply wow.. in simple words you have summed up the world of parenting. Loved it,
Glad you liked it!
I loved how you described the various shades of parenting. And yes, a mother can tell simply by looking or touching her child, what is wrong with them. The maternal instinct that we are blessed with is one of a kind. And absolutely amazing picture of yours.
Thank you! Glad you liked it!
Hope your lil champ is doing well now. You portray so perfectly every instincts of a mother Noor, parenting is indeed a rollar coaster ride. Always excited to read your post, ultimate one.
Thank you so much! Yes he is much better now 🙂
Parenting definitely is all of it, makes us emotional, crazy, wild and strong. Teaches us new lessons everyday. You look so pretty. Did you go on a date post that? 😉
Yes it really does! Thank you! Not that night unfortunately!
This is a brilliant post on parenting ,Noor! I loved your poem. Keep penning 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Woah, this is such an amazing post, Ur flair in writing is so gud. Parenting definitely is no easy job, n so beautifully u portrayed it here. Im thinking wat wld I have done if I were in d same situationa u😂
Thank you! I would love to know what you would have done!
True, with parenting all universal laws go for a toss. You have to be prepared for anything anytime. I had faced a similar situation just a week back on a planned date night with my spouse. In the end, it was khichi for all in dinner!
Awww.. I feel you!!
Even the ones who doesn’t feel the same would do after reading this post. You really did made parenting a poem, like literally.
Thanks!
Parenting is the easiest thing in the world to have an opinion about, but the hardest thing in the world to do. You managed very well NOOR.
Thank you! That’s kind of you to say 🙂
first of all.. i really like the title..the concept. you mentioned the motherhood so well. the poems are superb.. direct for heart
Thanks!
Very true. I totally agree with what parenting is! It’s a bumpy ride with all the love, laughter and cuteness combined with the quote ‘Patience is a virtue!’ 😝
Hahaha! So true!
It’s really a amazing post about parenting… very well written…amazing pictures too
Thanks!
Loved your poem. Parenting can’t be defined by one or two things happen. It’s a mix of many emotions, situations and decisions. You described it so beautifully. Great job.
Thank you 🙂
Hahaha, this is hilarious, but true indeed. Motherhood is a rollercoaster ride for me but still now I have been enjoying every bits of it.
🙂
That’s a very beautiful poem about parenting. I can understand parenting is really challenging. Hats off to you parents.
🙂
Parenting is so versatile and have changed over a period of time to an extent. I have not experienced this phase yet but have seen mumma struggling or say juggling work life or maintaining the balance to be at our schools or colleges or meetups in our childhood phase 🙂
🙂
I don’t think anything else could explain parenting but the way you have done through that beautiful poem. Bdw, you’re looking gorgeous in that dress.
Thank you!
I can relate to every ounce of this post buddy found it so relatable and the experience is so true to most of us
🙂
Absolutely agreed. Parenting is a mixed and confused feeling. Its bittersweet but no matter what it enables us to learn a lot.
🙂
what a cute and poetic take on parenting! lovely read 🙂
I hope your son recovered super soon and was back to his naughty self!
love the colors of your dress.
Thank you! Yes he’s better 🙂
I loved your writing style with 3 lines stanzas and the poem itself! Only a parent can relate to what all it takes and it is bittersweet indeed! Very fresh and interesting post.
Thank you Prerna! Glad you liked it!
Great poem! Good job summing up parenting in such a artistic way.
Thank you so much for reading and appreciating 🙂
These lines are so relatable. Parenting is something we have to continue doing like we breathe, often giving up on our pre planned big events.
Yes that’s right
This is so precious! And the mother’s instinct is so real, it started even during pregnancy!! There’s nothing in the entire world like being a mama 💕
Awww thank you! So glad you liked it! Yes I agree, it is the best feeling in all the world 🙂
I love the part about our heart walking around outside our bodies. I feel that soooo much but thought I was the only one. There is so much sacrifice in parenting but what a beautiful mama you are when you take off the heels and love on that boy God gave you ❤️
Thank you so much for saying that! It really made my day 🙂
Agree, totally!