Considerations Before Becoming a Parent

Before you dive into parenthood, here's a basic outline of what parenting is all about. The life of a parent is a job which is: seldom appreciated, never paid for, usually ignored, and sometimes considered to be the source of annoyance. Parenting is one of the most stressful, and yet fulfilling jobs in America.

Commitment

The first thing to consider before becoming a parent is: are you willing to sacrifice "almost" everything you've known to this point to be a parent? That's exactly what you'll have to do once you've taken this crucial step in life.

This article is by no means meant to talk anyone out of being a parent, but is meant to inform those "parents to be" what to expect. Always keep in mind that once a child is brought into the relationship, most things that you expect to "get done" in your day can be thrown out the proverbial window faster then the speed of light.

Now you're committed to this young person for the rest of your life. From the moment their glassy eyes look up to you at birth, until your dying days, these eyes will look to you for a source of information. Now you're the number one role model in your child's life whether you realize it or not.

You're no longer free (for several years) to do whatever you want because of the never-ending needs of the child. Their lives and their futures are now your responsibility. Your life is no longer done in a carefree attitude because everything you do now has a purpose, and usually a plan.

Priorities

No longer can you use the excuse "that you're having a bad day," because parents aren't allowed to have these. Gone are the days when you enjoyed all of the peace and quiet. These quiet days are usually few and far between unless everything is going just right.

A good parent must be more flexible and adaptable than water itself. You must be able to adapt to almost any mood swings, or any changing situation in the course of a day: every day. Then when the child gets to a certain age you must be able to accept that you're no longer needed, until they need you again. Sometimes this is the hardest part; being the observer.

Unconditional Love

Now love is another matter to consider. The love you have for your child is un-like any other emotion. You must be ready to watch your children be: hurt, confused, rejected, depressed, humiliated and refused attention by their peers, and react like nothing had ever happened. You better be ready to do this, because that's exactly what's expected from you as a parent. If your child sees you get upset, then they get upset also. So you have to learn to tough it out and become an emotional wizard at times.

Emotional Support

Also keep in mind that most anything you do as a parent will also be duplicated by your children. If you lose your patience and yell, this creates emotional stress in their lives which sometimes goes unnoticed.

Any bad habits you have will also be passed down to your children. You are the child's "emotional role model" especially in the early years. The young child is a hungry sponge; sucking up all of the existing information and emotional reactions. What's learned in these early years can be carried around the rest of your child's life. Emotional stability is very important to the child in these early years of development.

The most important thing to remember is that parenting is a life commitment. Are you willing to devote the rest of your life to someone at a moments notice? Sure, one day your children will leave and be out of your home, but your job is never done.

You are raising the future leaders of the world, and how you raise your children will be passed down to your lineage for years to come. So take a moment and ask yourself if you are cut out to hold this most prestigious job. In order to become a parent you must have the endurance of a tiger, and the patience of a saint.