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Motivation Mondays: PARENTING

24/07/2017
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“There is no such thing as a perfect parent so just be a real one.” Sue Atkins

Motivation Mondays: PARENTING

Motivation Mondays: PARENTING

Relationships are complicated no matter what style of parenting you choose. Mayim Bialik
The more people have studied different methods of bringing up children the more they have come to the conclusion that what good mothers and fathers instinctively feel like doing for their babies is the best after all. Benjamin Spock
You know, parenting is so personal. And we’re all afraid that we didn’t quite get it right. And it feels like the stakes are so high. By we – what if we made a mistake? Amy Chua

What Motivates Us as Parents? Yesterday was Parents Day and the celebration brought back memories of my own childhood and the many women; mom, grand-moms, stepmom, foster mom, aunts and close female friends of the family who played an important role in my childhood. It brought back memories of the men too; my Dad and my uncles who stepped up to the plate to encourage and support me.  All of these people added a nugget of wisdom to my basket of learning and taught me what to do and not to do as a parent. When we come to the topic of parenting, it is critical that we remember one very important point – Parenting Is Personal. There is no absolute way to parent and just because we see X do Y doesn’t mean that it would work for us. We bring our personal history and experiences to the role of parent and each journey is unique. When I became a parent, I knew there was a lot to learn and no parenting, one-size-fits-all manual. I knew I wanted to parent differently from the way I was raised because it was a different generation and my husband and I wanted something else for our twins. The love and support of my friends, family, and nannies, common sense on my part and my spouse, and the forgiving, open hands and love of our babies meant we had a chance to do our best with love, care and dedication to the task. Were we perfect? Nobody is… Did we have all the answers? No. But we gave it our all and our babies were right there teaching us as much as they were learning from us… that experience was hugely motivating and priceless.

 

What Motivates Parenting Styles? Sure, we wanted to raise our kids differently, yet, we didn’t abandon all of the parenting styles of our parents…What a surprise, right? Well, it isn’t when you think about it. We  take the things we like, develop our own strategies, and leave the rest. That is why we must stay vigilant as parents and check in to ensure we are giving it our best shot. For me, I would say my mom passed on her love of gardening, cooking, adventure, and a boldness about life and its struggles. My dad passed on a love for learning, a generous spirit, a strong work ethic, self-respect and a legacy of faith in the wisdom of God, mother earth, the universe and the greater goodness of people. They both had their shortcomings but what I’ve come to do, over the years, is to remember what I cherished most about them. My many other parent figures sprinkled their own life lessons in the mix and all served a greater purpose: to give me a full vision of the world around me and beyond. It’s easy to go through life assuming all our beliefs are self-taught but, they aren’t. We are influenced by our family, our experiences and by many others. We are exposed to the thoughts and actions of people we look up to and admire, and their influence has an impact on our lives; good, bad and everything in-between. Our thoughts have tremendous power, and we can use that power as individuals and parents to help, hurt or heal ourselves and others. If we are exposed to environments that are empowering and that encourage positive ways of viewing the world, we will adopt those teachings and parenting tips and make them part of our life’s work.

READ: On Life: Ten Lessons We Learn From Our Children…
Musings: Ten Things To Stop Worrying About…

 

“Parenting is the easiest thing in the world to have an opinion about, but the hardest thing in the world to do.” Matt Walsh

Motivation Mondays: PARENTING

Motivation Mondays: PARENTING

We never know the love of a parent till we become parents ourselves. Henry Ward Beecher
Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. Robert Fulghum
Children are educated by what the grown-up is and not by his talk. Carl Jung
At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvement of parents. Jane D. Hull

What Motivates our Parenting Styles? When my kids were younger, we created a schedule for them that included nap-time, mealtime and outside activities. The schedule allowed pockets of time when I could have Me Time to focus on myself and the things I needed to do for work. It varied from day to day but always included prayer/meditation time so I could regroup and rest. Regardless of the goals we have, it is important to create  a daily plan that includes some time for reflection in our daily schedule of activities. Why? Our creative, intuitive side is enhanced when we give ourselves time to regroup, refresh and/or find solutions to issues. Plus, by maintaining healthy self-renewal habits, we are able to bring more to our parenting relationship.  We also made sure that our kids were exposed to diverse people and places. We wanted them to experience the world we  inherited, to embrace it with all its complexities and differences, and to show them that there are many things that connect us, especially, —  our common humanity.

 

We traveled with them and welcomed friends into our homes without prejudice. This is what mattered to us and we didn’t want to live a hypocritical life as we knew that the Fulghum and Jung quotes were quite true.  We didn’t want our children to grow up saying that they wish someone had guided them earlier in life and taught them that hate/prejudice/discrimination is not an answer. Did we shield them from the realities of the world we inhabit? No. We showed them that we all make choices and that there are other options. If nothing else, we wanted them to make their own assessment of how to interact in a world that can be challenging and not always fair. When we raise kids and encourage them to develop reason and logic, we are preparing them for a healthy world. What’s the one piece of advice you wish someone had given you as a child?

READ: Reflections: The Kids Advantage…

 

The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for June/July 2017 are:

 

JUNE

06/05  –  World Environment Day,  08 National Best Friend Day,  08 World Oceans Day
06/11 –  11  Trinity Sunday, 14 Flag Day
06/18 –  18 Father’s Day,  19 Juneteeth,  20 World Refugee Day,  21 Summer Solstice/International Yoga Day, 23 Intn’l  Widow’s Day, 24 Ramadan Ends
06/25 – 25  Eid al Fitr,  26 Against Drug Abuse Day,

JULY

07/04 –  Independence Day,
07/11 –  World Population Day, 14 Bastille Day
07/16 –  National Ice Cream Day, 18 Nelson Mandela Day
07/23 –  Parents Day,  28 World Hepatitis Day
07/30 – International Friendship Day

 

Are You Looking for Ways to Stay Creative in 2017?

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– Join the Daily Post Post-a-day or Post-a-week Challenge.

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— Join the BlogHer Writing Lab

 

More Below

“There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Motivation Mondays: PARENTING

Motivation Mondays: PARENTING

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. Charles R. Swindoll
Children are our second chance to have a great parent-child relationship. Laura Schlessinger
Loving a child doesn’t mean giving in to all his whims; to love him is to bring out the best in him, to teach him to love what is difficult. Nadia Boulanger
At every step the child should be allowed to meet the real experience of life; the thorns should never be plucked from his roses. Ellen Key

What is the motivational impact of parenting others?  To parent is to step into a magical and precious space. Handle it with care. Some of my earliest memories of parenting came from the time my sister and I spent with the Bates in the UK. As far as we were concerned, the Bates were Mom and Dad, at least for the time being, and until our biological parents, students in a segregated London, were ready to retrieve us from the temporary arrangement that was the lot of many children born to immigrant parents. This was a time when landlords had no desire to rent space to blacks with kids, and so, many families from the African continent and the Caribbean hired and paid foster parents to care for their children. As foster kids, we were not wards of a judicial system as the term connotes in the USA, we were wards of loving families recruited by distraught parents who were left with few options for their children while they attended professional schools. Of course, the irony of it all was that we embraced our foster parents with a measure of love that the landlords denied our parents, and this deep love informed our identity. We belonged because we were loved and, even though the world we inhabited was fraught with unpleasant perceptions about race and identity, we navigated that world without feeling closed out or pushed aside. At least, not for a long while.

 

What is the impact of feeding kids a diet of dogma and discrimination? It leads them down the road of confusion and discontent. As parents, we must never forget that our kids watch what we say and do… and how we behave. We are not perfect and we all make mistakes but once we catch the behavior, it behooves us to make the necessary adjustments and then move on. Some folks are so casual with spewing hateful words around their kids; they think they are too young to understand or that they are not paying attention, but that is not always the case. Kids watch and emulate and, one day, they might even harm us and others. As parents, we might come from different backgrounds, religions and races but, we are all human first. If we don’t put that thought in front of our minds in every interaction, we are not working to build global unity, just adding to the potential for conflict. As parents, raise your kids how you wish but let’s feed our kids healthy thoughts and actions. There is a price to pay if we don’t. That said, parenting is the most fulfilling and challenging role. I applaud all parents out there! What about you? What parenting style did you pick up from your parents? What lessons did you teach your parents? How/what did your children teach you?

READ: Reflections: On Identity

 

Have a Happy, Healthy 2017!

 

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Positive Motivation Tip: To parent is to step into a magical and precious space. Handle it with care.

 

Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note.
Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for the months above/below)
Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com
Category tag: – Share your post using Motivation Mondays
Twitter hashtag: – Use this on Twitter #MotvnM
Dedicated Page: There is a dedicated page for Motivation Mondays. It has the same instructions and will include other helpful tools and a link to the round-up
Facebook Page:MotivationOnMondays Join our page and add your post and/or any motivational piece you think will be helpful to others.
Facebook Community: We have a Facebook community forum to compliment the page. It serves as another way to share uplifting posts and thoughts. Please join in and add your voice.

Badge: – I created a fun badge using PicMonkey’s free photo editing tools. You can create your own, use WordPress’ integrated tool on your blog or you are welcome to use mine. (see dedicated page)
Tag: – Motivation Mondays
Hashtag: – #MotvnM

 

Related Posts

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos via Wikipedia  and/or Parenting via Pixabay

 

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

from → Global Events, Motivation Mondays, Positive Advice, Posts & Photos 2017
172 Comments leave one →
  1. parentingpatch permalink
    24/07/2017 5:14 pm

    There definitely is no such thing as a perfect parent. I am trying my best but sometimes I make mistakes. I just have to move on and try better.

    Reply
  2. joyroses13 permalink
    24/07/2017 6:08 pm

    Awesome quotes and good thoughts!

    Reply
  3. themomnoms permalink
    24/07/2017 9:15 pm

    Honestly, my son motivates me as a parent. I need no other motivation. I wake up to him and i fall asleep to him. I would give up the world for him.

    Reply
  4. Adriana Martin (@ABRecipes) permalink
    24/07/2017 11:59 pm

    Parenting such a joy but a big responsibility too. Sometimes wish there was a parenting university to learn how to be a better parent. It is test and trial and much love.

    Reply
  5. Sondra Barker permalink
    25/07/2017 12:07 am

    I love the photo’s with the baby’s feet, they are too cute. You had a lot of good points in here. I think one thing that’s important is we have to understand is not all parents do the same thing. Everyone is different and that’s okay.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      26/07/2017 12:02 pm

      My sentiments too. 🙂

      Reply
      • Sondra Barker permalink
        29/07/2017 12:10 am

        Going to reply to your comment as I’ve already posted on here. I think being a parent is such special job and it’s really up to parents to ensure that the child is loved and feels like they are loved.I’m sure it can get hard though because things can get overwhelming but as long as they keep in mind the child’s well-being everything should be okay.

  6. acraftymix permalink
    25/07/2017 12:31 am

    You have such a beautiful way with words Elizabeth. For me parenting was, and still is, one of the most difficult, yet natural jobs in the world. When my son was born I was a quivering wreck and didn’t have a clue how to be a “good” parent. Then my mom sat me down and told me to think with my heart and “just do it”. She’s a very wise lady

    Reply
  7. Gloria permalink
    25/07/2017 12:41 am

    Another excellent post of yours. What you wrote after “What is the impact of feeding kids a diet of dogma and discrimination?” hit home, hard. My mother was a horrible racist and never cared what she said and when she said it but she was a horrible person in general. Don’t like to say because she is my mother after all but it’s the truth. I am convinced she learned that from her mother. The same way my sister picked up that horrible state of mind. I am just glad my father took me and left her. There is nothing worse than being exposed to toxic thoughts and words as a child since there is very little you can do about it. Some people are so incredibly careless and it usually goes hand in hand with being a bad person. One of the most common phrases that I remember my mother say was “What does she know, she’s just a kid.” It hurts. Up to this day, it still hurts. Childen are small people. They might not understand everything instantly when they are young but they remember.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      26/07/2017 12:01 pm

      Thank you for your honesty Gloria and I agree with you that children remember everything they see and hear. They are not mindless little people as some parents choose to believe. I feel your pain and send you healing light, love and hugs. We move forward with our lives and forgive for us to move even further away from the most hurtful memories. <3

      Reply
  8. Jess UoPeople permalink
    25/07/2017 12:59 am

    Thanks for the post! I think it’s so difficult being a parent and exploring the ways to parent that work for YOU and your kids!

    Reply
  9. Stefanie permalink
    25/07/2017 1:54 am

    I think being a parent is the hardest but also the most fulfilling job ever!!! I can’t wait to be a mother myself

    Reply
  10. Jia Shin Lee permalink
    25/07/2017 3:08 am

    Parenting is not easy, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication! Love this post!

    Reply
  11. raisingyourpetsnaturally permalink
    25/07/2017 4:02 am

    Parenting is such an important discussion. Not just giving birth or adopting, but how we raise our children or pets. Parents set the foundation for adulthood.

    Reply
  12. Ronnie Epsi permalink
    25/07/2017 4:30 am

    When I was a child, I thought my parents knew exactly what they were doing in their parenting. Now that I’m older, I understand that they did not, and thus they both made mistakes and yet tried to raise us as best they could – and I’ve reached that stage as well. Parenting is so complicated, emotional, exhausting but blissful.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      26/07/2017 11:54 am

      Yes. It is very complex and comes with no guarantees. Even a so-called best parent can produce children who terrorize and demean others. We do our best.

      Reply
  13. kelly reci permalink
    25/07/2017 4:41 am

    I’ve always been a goal setter. I like to sit down quite often and plan out the things I want to accomplish or the things I would like to see happen in my life. But, I think because I like to make plans for the future and I like to work towards those plan,…

    Reply
  14. 조이 Czjai (@RebelSweetHrt) permalink
    25/07/2017 5:25 am

    I agree, there is no perfect parenting style. We all just have to be good parents, at least good enough to properly raise our kids and turn them into well-mannered, educated adults. 🙂

    Reply
  15. nadaliebardo permalink
    25/07/2017 7:37 am

    Parenting is really a beautiful thing, I enjoyed the images you used to portray this special bond.

    Reply
  16. Jessica Barnett permalink
    25/07/2017 7:49 am

    I love your Sue Atkins quote, I live by that! What motivates me as a parent .. the way I grew up was in the extreme ghetto in memphis and I didn’t have the best of upbringings.. I motivate myself to never allow my kids to go through what I had to go through.. thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  17. Sylvia @ Frolic Through Life permalink
    25/07/2017 8:30 am

    One thing that I picked up from my parents is to teach my son to be independent. Since he was small, I encouraged him to do things for himself and think for himself. When I was a child, I had a hard time with not following the crowd and it makes me happy to see that he is perfectly happy creating his own interests and following them even if none of his friends think they are “cool.”

    Reply
  18. Fashion Panache by Bhushavali permalink
    25/07/2017 9:23 am

    Parenting is so complex! Now, when I’m planning to become one, I’m just astonished to realize how amazing my parents were, when in comes to parenting!

    Reply
  19. Sue Tanya McHorgh permalink
    25/07/2017 9:54 am

    I agree- We never know the love of a parent till we become parents ourselves. There were alot of times i disagreed with my parents and while i dont have any kids yet the more i get older i understand why they didn’t allow certain things when i was growing up. Very interesting post.

    Reply
  20. Corinne & Kirsty 🌸 (@corinnekirsty) permalink
    25/07/2017 10:52 am

    I am not a parent yet and nog going to be one anytime soon. However, I have seen my parents raise 5 kids so I might have an idea. You’re so right, there is no perfect parents, just real ones. Just do your best.

    Reply
  21. livingworks60 permalink
    25/07/2017 11:03 am

    I wear a lot of hats but non as important as being a mother. It is the most important thing I do. It is also the most challenging. When we realize how important our responsibility is in shaping the next generation we must approach it with prayer. Therefore we as parents have to be ever so mindful of the words that we speak and the actions we take.

    Reply
  22. Rebecca Swenor permalink
    25/07/2017 11:33 am

    This is a great post on parenting. We all parent different and there is no handbook but there is parenting skills taught to us by our parents along with other elders. Our children learn from us and others like we did growing up. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

    Reply
  23. makeamomsmile permalink
    25/07/2017 12:37 pm

    One of my most favorite quotes ever : There is no such thing as a perfect parent so just be a real one!! This is so important to remember every day as we doubt ourselves! I love your motivation posts!

    Reply
  24. Shannon Graham permalink
    25/07/2017 1:31 pm

    You’re definitely right that each parenting technique isn’t the only way. There are many effective ways to parent a child.

    Reply
  25. ohmummymia permalink
    25/07/2017 1:35 pm

    I can relate to that post because I’m a new Mom. Being parent is not the easiest job

    Reply
  26. confettiandbliss permalink
    25/07/2017 4:47 pm

    There are no guide books for being a parent. As long as we have love in our hearts, good intentions for our children and families, and do all that we can to raise them right – in the end that’s all that matters!

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      26/07/2017 11:43 am

      When we parent from our heart, we make an effort to do what’s best. It might not always be seen that way but we try.

      Reply
  27. Fred permalink
    25/07/2017 4:50 pm

    Our children are our blessings, our joys and our gifts. But they are also our biggest responsibilities. Parenting is not easy and there are no perfect ways to go about it. We may learn lessons the hard way but everyone wins if these lessons are taken to heart.

    Reply
  28. Amber permalink
    25/07/2017 5:33 pm

    Parenting can be a challenge, but it is so rewarding. My style is relaxed. I find I’m happier this way. And my kids aren’t so stressed.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      26/07/2017 11:20 am

      I believe you. Some of us stressed parents pass that on to the kids too so we must be mindful. I’m glad you said that

      Reply
  29. Yeu Doi permalink
    25/07/2017 7:33 pm

    Indeed, there is no such thing as a perfect parent or person. We just have to do the best we can. Great post!

    Reply
  30. Reginald permalink
    25/07/2017 7:34 pm

    This was a great explanation about parenting and advice about it! I have two kids myself and I would give them the world.

    Reply
  31. kelly reci permalink
    25/07/2017 7:43 pm

    Thanks for sharing it! I will share this post with my sister who has kids..

    Reply
  32. sharonslopez permalink
    25/07/2017 8:08 pm

    Being a parent is an obligation that has no known widely acceptable style. We cannot compare our parenting method to that of others. Each of us has a unique way of parenting method style that would depend on our customs, traditions, religions, etc. It’s only between us and our family. We are the only one who could decide which style is suitable for us. Such a great post to ponder.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      26/07/2017 11:14 am

      Exactly. In some societies, the children are raised a certain way and in another a particular way. One distinction I didn’t include is ABUSE. Parents who abuse their children are not parenting them they are abusing them and that opens up a Pandora’s Box that this post did not address.

      Reply
  33. Blair Villanueva permalink
    25/07/2017 8:35 pm

    Am not yet a parent, but am a good observant with my parents per se and my friends. And what I learned about parenting is the unconditional love (though in my case I think there should be a limits), and parents should be as tough as they can to protect his/her family. It is a challenge, which I want to experience someday.

    Reply
  34. tumandok permalink
    25/07/2017 10:29 pm

    I do agree with Matt Walsh that it is easy to discuss or talk about parenting, but it is hard to carry it out. Many parents have to admit that they are failures as far as parenting is concerned. Most of them have failed to “train” their children on the way they should go for various influencing factors and they have tolerated to “grant” their children’s whims and caprices. Train and grant are the most important factors in parenting. That is what I believe. – Gil Camporazo

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      26/07/2017 11:11 am

      Parenting is hard work and it comes with no guarantees. Failure to you is effort to someone else. This post didn’t address abusive or neglectful parents because I believe that they belong in a separate category and we can write a post on that topic. Remember: Parenting is Personal.

      Reply
  35. franckxethee permalink
    26/07/2017 3:04 am

    Parents love is one of the truest forms of love. It transcends time and effort and its a lifetime commitment. We really should value our parents because nothing is more important than our well being.

    Reply
  36. Linh permalink
    26/07/2017 3:45 am

    Such a meaningful and informative post! We really are influenced by our family, especially our parents. Parenting may sound easy but is actually the hardest thing to do perfectly.

    Reply
  37. Hayoung permalink
    26/07/2017 5:10 am

    Hello, I’m 16 and even though I’m not old enough to have kids myself yet, I still really adore your dedication to your children (which is obviously needless to say, I’m sorry) and to this blog (I read some other articles of yours, and is somehow gradually getting a wiser look at this world). There’s something I love about this article; the way you combined quotes (amazing ones) at the beginning of every small topic is inspiring!
    Well although my parents have been raising me greatly I’ll still give this to them haha 🙂 – this is too good to keep it for myself!

    Reply
  38. Middle Eats permalink
    26/07/2017 5:32 am

    What a beautiful look at parenting. I feel like there’s a lot of people who feel they can judge how others parent rather than accepting that as long as their children are safe happy it’s all okay.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      26/07/2017 10:41 am

      True. I live in a small town and I know what you mean. I was seen as an overprotective mom but I didn’t care. We have to live our truth for our kids. Period.

      Reply
  39. Samantha Bye permalink
    26/07/2017 6:05 am

    Parents have such a tough job! I don’t have kids myself, but as I’ve got older I’ve realised how much of a trooper my own mother was when bringing me up. Couldn’t have wished for a better mum, she’s fantastic.

    Reply
  40. MELANIE EDJOURIAN permalink
    26/07/2017 6:20 am

    Bringing up children isn’t easy there isn’t a manual. If we bring them up the way we would like to have been brought up ourselves then we are probably on the right lines. It’s a learning curve and one we can always learn from.

    Reply
  41. nicoleflintkontrol permalink
    26/07/2017 6:28 am

    I always look forward to your motivation mondays, very inspiring. Although I’m not a parent, I’m very nurturing and I learned a lot from this post.

    Reply
  42. Lian permalink
    26/07/2017 6:34 am

    No matter what stage of parenthood is reached, it is never easy. I try to see what my kids are feeling from their end while trying to parent them. I told my teen age daughter that I am a guide for her in this life. it is tough to see them stumble, but they need to become stronger people.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      26/07/2017 10:38 am

      Sure do agree… My kids are young adults now and I watch them and marvel and pray. They are always “our kids” in the eyes of parents.

      Reply
  43. Inbar Shahak permalink
    26/07/2017 8:02 am

    interesting and detailed information, so important

    Reply
  44. NeverSayDieBeauty permalink
    26/07/2017 8:13 am

    I am not a parent myself, but your post combines wonderful advice but thought-provoking questions and examples that could lead to better parenting. Your question: “what advice do you wish you had received as a child” was interesting to me because I wouldn’t have taken any advice from almost anyone back then 😉

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      26/07/2017 10:36 am

      Hahaha! I appreciate your honesty. The question is really about looking back and imagining what you wished you knew… 🙂

      Reply
  45. Eva permalink
    26/07/2017 8:22 am

    Love this post. There are so many different parenting styles and different “types” of equally great parents. Super insightful.

    Reply
  46. helerinablogs permalink
    26/07/2017 9:21 am

    I absolutely agree with all the points here. Parenting styles are so personal and unique and (with obvious exceptions) the right way is just the way you do it.
    I was brought up in a super strict home so made sure my parenting style was much more laid back and my daughter is so much happier now than I was as a teenager.

    Reply
  47. nlampert permalink
    26/07/2017 9:35 am

    I’m not a parent so I can only imagine how challenging it must be. I agree though that it’s not a one-size-fits-all type of thing. I know I’ve watched some parents who have had to adapt their parenting strategy in different ways for different kids since everyone has different needs… I can only hope I’ve learned something from them if I ever decide to have kids of my own

    Reply
  48. Erinn Sluka permalink
    26/07/2017 10:09 am

    Many times I look at our older sons and just feel blessed they turned into respectful, hard-working men

    Reply
  49. Nicole - Miss Sparkle permalink
    26/07/2017 10:12 am

    These photos are beautiful. I really like the selection of the pictures as it shows very well what parenting means 🙂

    Reply
  50. kay permalink
    26/07/2017 10:21 am

    I am not a parent so I don’t really relate BUT I will say that one of the things that has always worried be about BEING a parent is wondering if my style of parenting will be good enough to raise a child.

    Reply
  51. jay permalink
    26/07/2017 10:40 am

    Parenting is the easiest thing in the world to have an opinion about, but the hardest thing in the world to do.” Matt Walsh… This quote says it all !! I think EVERYONE always has an opinion and thinks they can do things better but the truth is you have to do what you think is best for you child!!

    Reply
  52. Travel Blogger permalink
    26/07/2017 10:54 am

    It is so hard to parent today. I feel like there are so many opinions and studies and people judging that we all become over stressed and hyper vigilant. Then, we start to lose some of the preciousness and special time with our kids because we are so worried about being perfect and keeping up with everyone else. Now, with my second child on the way, I feel like I have become more lenient and responding more to my son’s cues for what he needs. It is a very personal space, and I think we do need to follow our instincts and go with what our kids need.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      26/07/2017 11:39 am

      Exactly. We have a powerful connection to our kids and our instincts, when measured by a true desire to parent, will help us do good for our kids.

      Reply
  53. Melissa Bernardo permalink
    26/07/2017 11:19 am

    There really is no such thing as perfect parenting. I have two boys and its so hard sometimes! But, being a parent is the best thing ever!

    Reply
  54. womenlite permalink
    26/07/2017 11:26 am

    Although there are a lot of books teaching the right style of parenting, I think you can only learn parenting while experiencing it. I’m not a parent but I can see how tough it is to handle and live happily in parenthood!

    Reply
  55. thelegalblondeblog permalink
    26/07/2017 11:56 am

    I do not have any children of my own yet, but I can only imagine how tough it is! My sister is having her first child in December, and I know she is nervous about how to parent her child. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  56. Stylehue permalink
    26/07/2017 12:23 pm

    I like the idea of having a schedule. I think kids need routines.
    I don’t have any kids yet, but I guess you can’t do anything more than your best 🙂
    Try to guide them, without pressuring them too much.
    Be there for them, and most of all spend time with them

    Reply
  57. Ana Ojha permalink
    26/07/2017 1:32 pm

    I agree with a quote of Matt Walsh! Parenting is tough! I’m not a parent but hats off to all the parents who are managing their work and life to shape the better future of our world!

    Reply
  58. Kristine Nicole Alessandra permalink
    26/07/2017 3:19 pm

    There is no perfect parenting guide book or instructional video ever. I got to be a parent in my early 20s and it was tough. Luckily, I had the support of my parents and grandmother. “Follow your gut, Listen to your heart, and do not spare the rod.” is what they always said. I raised 3 children, now all adults who are loving, responsible and kind.

    Reply
  59. Katie Kinsley permalink
    26/07/2017 4:08 pm

    I am not a parent of a child, but I consider myself a dog mom. My dog is so spoiled that I hope I wouldn’t ever treat my child that way, but my dog will never be able to do anything for himself!

    Reply
  60. Rosey permalink
    26/07/2017 5:24 pm

    aw man, I didn’t know it was Parents Day. I’d have eaten that day up. 😉 I do my best to do my best. My kids deserve that from me. 🙂

    Reply
  61. Crystal permalink
    26/07/2017 6:33 pm

    Parenting is the best thing in the world, but it definitely can be hard at times. You make mistakes, but you just have to learn from them and do better.

    Reply
  62. Samantha permalink
    26/07/2017 6:41 pm

    I am not a parent, but I have a good relationship with my dad & have always had a close relationship with my mom. I’m glad to have always had supportive parents.

    Reply
  63. Megan permalink
    26/07/2017 7:40 pm

    Parenting is so rewarding and SO challenging. We try to do what is best for our kids and raise them to be well rounded, productive, contributing members of society. Guarding your words around your kids is so important, they are way smarter than we give them credit for!

    Reply
  64. Keeping Up With Candy permalink
    26/07/2017 7:53 pm

    The greatest gift and job we have on earth is raising our children. When we don’t, everyone suffers in one way or another.

    Reply
  65. lmochoa488 permalink
    26/07/2017 10:17 pm

    I agree their are many many styles of parenting. There is no right or wrong way everyone does what they think is right for them and their family.

    Reply
  66. toastycritic permalink
    26/07/2017 11:46 pm

    I believe that for a parent there are many things that make up a good one. And very easily you can become a bad one. But for me one of the most important keys to being a good one is the ability to admit that you made a mistake and to be able to adapt to what is going on around you. Those help you tremendously as a parent.

    Reply
  67. Nandita permalink
    27/07/2017 1:53 am

    Totally agree with ‘parenting is personal’. What works for one family doesn’t necessarily mean would work for other kids too. Just like every kid is different, every parenting method has to be different to adjust to those specific idiosyncracies, situations and preferences

    Reply
  68. Katja Knox permalink
    27/07/2017 5:04 am

    “There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.” said Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and it’s one of my favourite quotes about parenting. So true!
    Katja

    Reply
  69. Victoria (@victoriapericon) permalink
    27/07/2017 5:05 am

    parenting is hard. no matter the age of the child. but knowing everyone is in the boat together and no one is perfect makes it much easier.

    Reply
  70. Hellocuppies permalink
    27/07/2017 5:19 am

    Being a parent is super tough, I’m finding early-teen stage hugely different! But, it’s totally worth it and trying our best is all we can do.

    Reply
  71. deethomson permalink
    27/07/2017 6:22 am

    I’m not a parent, but I really get a lot of what you said. There is no set formula for being a good parent, and it’s all about learning, making mistakes, and trying the best you can to be there for your kids!

    Reply
  72. Victoria Stacey permalink
    27/07/2017 7:34 am

    I’m not a parent yet, but I really appreciate posts like this! It’s a great way to reflect on what you are doing, and what others are doing too. It’s a stressful job!

    Reply
  73. Angela Ricardo Bethea permalink
    27/07/2017 8:14 am

    These are very lovely photos! Parenting is like being Spiderman because Great Power comes great Responsibility. It’s very challenging but very fulfilling.

    Reply
  74. Kait permalink
    27/07/2017 1:52 pm

    Great post! Being a parent is so hard it is nice to read something that isn’t all about what we are doing wrong as modern parents. I wish someone had told me when I was a kid to go with the flow more. I have always been high strung and now that I am a parent, it is even worse. I am trying hard to teach my kids to be calm and better about just enjoying the small moments.

    Reply
  75. Eileen permalink
    27/07/2017 4:45 pm

    Parenting is a tough job. I raised three tiny humans who are now grown adults and sometimes it makes me step back and think, “Now how did I do that?” I think parenting comes naturally, and if I ever come across a difficult situation, there is always a support group that I run to – my mom and siblings.

    Reply
  76. xdmm5 permalink
    27/07/2017 9:02 pm

    Parenting is hard!!! I have three kids and there is no book to follow…lol. I’m just trying to raise nice respectful human beings 🙂 great post!

    Reply
  77. Alisa Marie Tobin permalink
    27/07/2017 11:14 pm

    I love this wonderful insight into parenting! Thank you for sharing. I really love that you included welcoming people into your home without prejudice!

    Reply
  78. Carol Cassara permalink
    28/07/2017 12:36 am

    I do not have kids but I do have nephews and nieces. I think it’s crucial that the parents do what they think is best for their kids and not allow others to dictate how they’ll be raised. It’s good to have guidance from our parents when taking care of our own as well. They raised us after all. I think you’re an awesome mom!

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      28/07/2017 1:19 am

      Yes, we are bring our lives to the role and it is surely different for each of us. I was thinking about this recently and the one good thing I believe all dedicated parents share is love for their family. Thank you or believing in me. <3

      Reply
  79. Kristine Nicole Alessandra permalink
    28/07/2017 12:46 am

    Parenting is not to be taken lightly. We were entrusted to raise our children to be responsible, kind, loving adults. The best way for me, is to be the best example so that your children will emulate you and when the time comes for them to be parents themselves, they would pass on the virtues they have learned from you.

    Reply
  80. London Mumma permalink
    28/07/2017 2:55 am

    We eve live and grow, therefore are parenting styles change, those that from our parents to now. But what I’ve taken now a mother I take what I’ve learnt from my parents as a child and adapted those functionalities to my own.

    Reply
  81. Angela Milnes permalink
    28/07/2017 9:53 am

    parenting is tough job. I raised all the parents that can do all there best for there child.

    Reply
  82. Angela Milnes permalink
    28/07/2017 6:14 pm

    Parenting is the biggest part of responsibility. But in the end being a parent is so rewarding. I praise all the parents that can do all their best for their child

    Reply
  83. bestiesnotepad permalink
    28/07/2017 7:08 pm

    Perfect seems a relative term specially when it comes to parenting..one thing which is perfect for you might be imperfect for another!

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      29/07/2017 3:06 am

      That is why Parenting is personal. We all have our own definitions of what perfect is… There is no need for perfection in parenting. Does that work for you?

      Reply
  84. Rehabilitating Lindsay permalink
    29/07/2017 5:43 am

    Parenting is not easy. I’m not one yet but I will be in November, after 3 years battling Infertility, and I look forward to the challenge. Your post brings light to many pieces of parenting I’ve been thinking about recently. Thank you for inspiring me to dig a little deeper into my own parenting philosophy.

    Reply
  85. Via Bella permalink
    29/07/2017 5:45 am

    That is so spot on. Parenting is very personal. I definitely think that it is why it is so hard when some people decide what you do for parenting isn’t good enough it stings. I know a big debate is even in the details all the way up to Homeschooling. Loved this post!

    Reply
  86. fashionmommywm permalink
    30/07/2017 3:36 am

    It is something that is so easy to be judgmental about, but I agree with that quote about the easiest thing to comment on and the toughest thing to do.

    Reply
  87. Surekha permalink
    31/07/2017 7:40 am

    I am not a Parent but I know I wasn’t easy for my Parents. As I grow I am able to understand what my mom meant to me when she stopped me for doing something. It’s definitely not an easy thing for sure. But it’s good that we have our parents as role models. I will definitely be more like my mom when I become a Parent and my dad when it comes to giving them the freedom to choose what they want.

    Reply
  88. Lebogang Xolo permalink
    31/07/2017 12:02 pm

    Aargh, Parenting – The easiest, toughest, scariest thing to do. It’s absolutely overwhelming yet satisfying. My kids motivate me on daily basis and for that I’m eternally grateful

    Reply
  89. chichiuguru permalink
    31/07/2017 8:55 pm

    Parenting is a journey of sacrifice. I believe you really have to be in those shoes to understand parenting that is why it is a personal journey too. It is a great responsibility we shouldn’t take lightly because one’s actions or inactions can have a great impact in the children in one’s care.

    Reply
  90. fabiolazefi permalink
    31/07/2017 11:33 pm

    Parenting is far from easy and the lessons our children teach us can be as big as those taught by adults! It’s wonderful that you find the time to do what you love, such as write a blog and spend great time with your kids!

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      01/08/2017 11:32 am

      Trust me, it has not been easy for me… Writing has been a healing balm on many levels. TY for your kind words. 🙂

      Reply
  91. Wildish Jess permalink
    02/08/2017 8:10 pm

    Many people find my attachment parenting style weird. Then they meet my kids and see how well behaved they are and change their mind. Haha!

    Reply
  92. vivicardozo permalink
    04/08/2017 11:52 am

    I love motivation Monday. Especially after the weekend something like this is very refreshing! Thanks for sharing your thoughts

    Reply
  93. brigettedanielle permalink
    09/08/2017 4:14 pm

    “There is no such thing as a perfect parent so just be a real one.” Sue Atkins

    This is the realest quote I have heard about parenting in quite some time. Even though it is common knowledge, it can be hard to remember that with so much social media and posed photos.

    Reply
  94. Aditi permalink
    15/08/2017 2:14 am

    That’s a fact – there is no such thing as a perfect parent. I’m not a parent myself yet but I have seen parents around me and I can vouch for that, parenting is a continuous process that evolves every day.

    Reply
  95. eclectickristal permalink
    28/08/2017 11:09 am

    I do not think there is such a thing as a perfect parent.I feel like it is a learning process.

    Reply

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