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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