Last week there was a special event that I had not heard about until recently, (thank you Facebook, you have proved useful for something after all)—Children's Day. That has such a beautiful ring to it. It truly amazes me children's capacities to be such sweet and determined individuals starting at such young ages. Not having children of my own I chose to bypass the event and move on to different article topics, but for some reason my mind kept returning to the subject. Children's Day. Children's Day. Children's Day.
Being that I still consider myself a young adult, I knew I needed to pay thanks to those who allowed me to experience such a wonderful childhood. Thank you to the parents, the teachers, the doctors, the families, the animals, and even the strangers that teach children to be so wonderful. Young and old parents, you are all just great!
Here is the bright side: After all, the sleepless nights are followed by years of teething, having upset stomachs, getting boo-boos, creating nail polish colored walls, hiding car keys, chasing your animals, eating you out of house and home, taking your car, and spending most of your money!!
...No, but really, thank you! Thank you for choosing to be a parent. Thank you for raising a child that will become a leader in this world. Thank you for raising a child that will be a passionate, overachieving part of society. Thank you for raising someone on the importance of helping others. Without the times of trials, you would have gone without too. You would have missed them saying their first words, hand making crafts and cards, attempting Mother's Days of breakfast in bed, posing for adorable pictures helping daddy in the yard, taking memory full vacations, receiving phone calls to check in, crying through the proud moments at award ceremonies, and many many years of love.
*Disclosure: I was not as horrible of a kid as some, but my reference to nail polish covered walls may have been personal?? I plead the fifth. P.S. I did not eat my parents out of house and home, but my fair share of injuries bypassed the grocery bill.*
Alongside all the pride and support parents feel for the success of their children, I find it necessary to touch on the parents who aren't as wonderful to their children. I am sad for you. I am sad for you if you are not a part of your child's life because of your own decisions. You did not only hurt yourself in the leaving, but you hurt your child also. If you chose to involve yourself in things like drugs and alcohol versus providing a loving and safe environment for your spouse and children to call home, then I pity you. Beyond your mistakes, someone else has picked up the slack. There are so many wonderful single parents out there that were given incredible children and the chance to do an overcome. Parents can still do an awesome job as single parents. I pray for them on a daily basis. To the parents that chose the route of giving their child up for adoption: thank you for being strong enough to admit when you could not provide for your child as they deserved. You may feel regretful and empty about your decision, but taking your child out of a toxic environment was so important. You saved your child. A family experience with an adoption opened up my eyes to how beautiful children from culturally diverse backgrounds and experiences can make my world. Thank you to the parents that adopt children. You are a crowd of very strong people. After many months or maybe years of paperwork, interviews, and traveling you laid in bed some nights wondering if you would ever have your family all together. With wide arms and open hearts, you made a spot in your home for a child to grow and prosper. Without a single doubt, you provided opportunities for that child they would never have seen without you. You might not have been the adoptive parent that brought a child into your home, but you are supporting one financially in their home. How selfless that is. You are just as much a parent as anyone else. It is beautiful that you were able to locate a need, help the need, and never have to separate the child from their family. Last but not least, a round of applause to the families that take on their relative's children. Blood runs very thick with love.
I may not have mentioned the way that you are a parent, and if I didn't I am truly sorry. I intended this article to be straight from the heart. I thought very hard about all of the types of people that help children, and I tried my best to incorporate them all. If you are in a situation I did not mention, thank you still for all that you do as a parent.
Children do not stay children long, but it takes all different types of parents to raise all different types of children. What would the fun be if everyone was alike?
