Free Articles at Neutron Marketing Article Publishing and Distribution » Home-and-family » Parenting » Parenting: The Seven Phases That Every Parent Goes Through
Previous Article - Education: The Dreaded Sats - A Child's And Parent's Nightmare!
Next Article - My Son Is Terribly Shy, What Can I Do To Help Him?

View PDF | Print View | Html Version
by: Dr.NoelSwanson
Total views: 4
Word Count: 769

Phase 1: The thought that gives you goosebumps.

Your biological clock ticks away and prompts you to smile at every cute baby face you see. Should you start a family of little ones? This tickles your curiosity as you love to "make" babies.

Phase 2: Pregnant or not?

You missed your period and are trying to decipher your home preganancy test. Are you pregnant? Wow! A sweet baby face could be on its way. You ponder this as you run to the bathroom yet again.

Flash forward a few months. The kicks, elbows, backaches, and swollen ankles are part of your daily routine. Gross! Varicose veins. What happened to your body?

Baby arrives with loud fan fare. You swear at your husband and swear you can't take the pain of giving birth ever again. You spot her cute grin and your heart melts.

Phase 3: Creating a "first" for every occasion.

You have lost your precious sleep time. Your nipples are beyond sore and you are going delirious from dieting. However, your precious bundle of joy can harm no one. She is perfect with a perfect smile. She just found her little toes. She tastes them. Maybe she is hungry you laugh.

The "firsts" for every occassion erupt. She sits, crawls, stands, and walks to you all on her own. She can eat solid food and go to the potty. You are so proud until she throws an ear piercing tantrum. This doesn't deter your enthusiasm about celebrating her "firsts".

The television takes place of fun, stories and games.

First kindergarten or school: a mixed blessing. Where did my baby go?

Phase 4 Playgrounds, parties and alphabets.

She is no longer your little baby. She goes to school. She wears a uniform that makes her look so independent.

The bathroom humor fills her hours. Who knew going potty could be so hilarious?

Their first best friend, and first rejection. Scraped knees in the playground. And, of course, their first "it's not fair!"

How hard it is to let them go - but you can't protect them from everything.

Stage 5: She hits the books.

Time to put the play aside for a moment. There's letters and sums to learn. For some, it is just a walk in the park, for others it is climbing Everest. It is at this time that the differences between children become apparent. Those with easy kids can't see what all the fuss is about, yet for others it is the beginnings of years of stress, worry, tears and heartache.

Despite the tense moments, you will always have the cute moments such as when she spies Santa or wants a frilly doll for her birthday.

Remember they are not babies. They need to follow rules and do their chores.

Stage 6: She hits middle school.

They hit puberty and their body will be changing every day. The girls hang with the girls and the boys hang with the boys. Girls are too silly for boys. Girls think boys are not mature.

Clothes. You are just SO out of date mom! No one wears that anymore! And why should it matter if my pants are hanging down by my knees? Mom, these clothes are too small!

Lingo changes from what you said when you were her age.

First bra, first period. Lipstick and make-up. Squeaky voice that breaks. Antiperspirant.

Phase 7: They hit the social scene.

Boys and girls discover the attraction to each other. They wonder if anyone has a crush on them.

Your daughter gives you her advice and opinions whether you ask for them or not.

Parents are out, friends are everything. So is music and fashion. And late nights. "Aw mum, why do I have to be back so early - everyone else is staying until 3 am!" Oh yeah? Are they really?

On special occasions your teenager will open up to you. Just listen, don't preach.

Then, one day, the fireworks settle. The grunts turn into English again and like a phoenix from the ashes, and new (adult) human emerges - full of ideals and dreams and visions, but perhaps a bit short on confidence and wisdom.

Stage 8: (The rest of your lives.)

So they've left home - but they are still your little darlings. Your worries and hopes for them continue.

You will always have a place in your heart for your children no matter what they do.

Time flies. Take a moment to enjoy the specialness of each and every day with your children.

About the Author

To get more parenting advice by Dr. Noel Swanson, why not check out his parenting advice website?

---

Rating: Not yet rated

--Choose-- 0 1 2 3 4 5

No comments posted.

Add Comment

Enter the code shown