Parents of young children

I admire them.
I was one of them once, but you kind of forget.
The daily schedule is relentless.
The hours are way bad.

The payoff comes years later (usually)
although there are dividends along the way.

You have to go on faith and
work hard.

My belief is that parents of young children ought to have a plan.
Work at it as a team. Be consistent.
It's very important that both parents agree and
buy in on how to undertake this important responsibility.
It's should not be taken lightly.
That makes for the very best situation for a child.
This fact cannot be overstated.

There is no certification to become a parent.
No parenting license.
Maybe in some cases there should be
since effective parenting is probably one
of the most important factors
in determining if a kid will
have a true chance at succeeding in life.

There is work to be done, and done again, and again and again.
The daily schedule is repetitive and relentless.
Up early, to bed late, with interruptions during the nights.
Meals to be made and cleaned up again and again...and again.
Endless piles of laundry.
Not enough sleep.
Usually, not enough money.
Not enough time.

Patience is required...and a lot of it.

A sense of humor helps.

Sometimes, there is not enough training and know
how to get the job done well.
So often, young parents just do to their children
what was done to them.
This can be good or it can be bad.

But to compensate, there is unconditional love,
innocence, teaching moments, appreciation, kindness, laughter, joy.

There are a lot of things that have to be done that aren't any fun at all.

Another life is totally and completely dependent on you the parent.
Changing diapers, potty training, brushing and flossing teeth, breaking up squabbles,
setting limits and enforcing them, doing the bedtime routine,
wiping up spills, picking up the toys for the millionth time.
Changing the wet bed sheets again.

Listening to crying almost hourly.
There are so many things to be taught and shown by example.
And don't forget about limiting TV time,
keeping a constant outlook for their well being,
and the worst of all
Buckling and unbuckling those blasted car seats 35 times a day.

But, at the end of the day there is an overwhelming sense of love.
There is a little person staring back at you who looks like you
and
even sometimes acts like you.

So, you take it a day at a time.
You do the best you can.
You pray. Sometimes you cry.
And, you just keep on going.
Because you are a parent

and you have help from heaven to assist you in
the most rewarding experience of a lifetime.

I'm so proud of you young parents!
You amaze me.
You're doing a wonderful job.