As a parent I learn on a daily, I grow and I am also crushed at times. It is one God given role that keeps you on your toes because you are expected to be almost everything and everyone. From teacher, nurse, friend, counsellor and sometimes enemy. Imagine all this from one human being, that is why I learn at every opportunity I get. I ask so many questions, I go to parenting foray; I use the internet and also share from other mothers’ experiences and challenges.
I will tell you about my sister Enid (not real name).I used to watch how every time she was leaving her children at our mother’s house or anywhere else, she always calls them and explains where she is going then says bye. I was always amazed by this because one of her children was as young as two years yet she rarely threw tantrums of ‘Mummy, please don’t go.’
In fact, she would immediately agree on what she was told and rush back to whatever game it was that she had been interrupted from. I looked on and admired from a far and kept telling myself, ‘my run away trick’ or ‘go bring your shoes’ has worked with my two older children; it is no harm to continue with the rest of my children. Until I got my current baby Jasmine and I thought why not give it a try.
I watch on as mothers in my neighborhood have to run for their dear lives before baby sees them and others are caught in the act then the house will be filled with all kinds of tantrums. I am so glad I learnt this from a fellow mother.
When you carry and nurture a baby for nine months inside of you, feeling every move…and then when he/she comes into the world, I know what they need before they need it, or ever ask for it….I feel their moods change, even before they do….if that’s not proof of unconditional love what is? I feel like I will never be able to love my children enough….there is still so much love to give…. sometimes even I’m in complete amazement at how much love I can feel for my little angels. I really believe that parenting brings out the best of us and each day comes with its own experience and excitement.
As a mother, I have learnt to appreciate purity. Life conditions you to be strong; to be logical. In the process we kind of lose our pure divine states. But becoming a mother opens you up to so much purity. The purity of the child’s smile, their love, their actions…
I have learnt that parenting and motherhood requires patience; yes, even in the middle of a “I want chocolate” tantrum. At times like these patience is the only virtue that can keep you sane. I have to admit it took me a while to get this one right. The little trick for me is to be calm myself, and then handle whatever tantrums that come my way. Calm me, calms her faster.