Do Parents Know Best?

It has been said that parents know best. I wonder how a person suddenly gets to know best about raising a child simply by giving birth? Does something magical happen? Does the child come out of the womb with a 'know everything' injection that gives the new mother 'super knowledge'? At times I wonder.

There is No Magic Book

When i gave birth to my first child, I read Dr. Spock books about how to care for infants. There was no magical knowledge that I had nor does any other mother. Under normal circumstances, we raise a child as we think is best. As the child gets older we hope we have done the right things while raising them.

Most of what we teach them are from gut feelings. It is up to the child to listen and to absorb the knowledge that we taught them. At least that is the way it is supposed to be. Where in the book did it say that?

There is No Magic Power

The child grows older, wiser and gains more knowledge. Soon they will be ready to go out on their own. Do parents allow it? Do they attempt to run the lives of children who are nearing adulthood? I know that mine tried to live my life. I called it interference. However, out of love and respect I listened.

I listened to advice about the clothes I should wear, the type of young men I should date, and who I should or should not befriend. If I wanted to date someone that they found fault with I was not allowed to see him. They ran my life but they did not see it as a bad thing. They loved me! That was their reason. My feelings, at the time, meant little. However, they were good, loving and thoughtful parents. They only had my well being at heart. I just did not realize it at the time.

The End Result

Not all endings have happy endings. It happens only in story books. Not everyone is happy when growing older due to unforeseen circumstances. Generally, it is no ones fault. it could be the times. No sense in pointing fingers. it is something that could happen to some of us but not to all of us.

Then We Become Parents

What have we learned during the growing up years? Do we teach our children the same set of rules and regulations we were taught. Frankly speaking, this is a new generation. A more liberal generation. Moreover, teens of today are wiser and smarter about sexual matters than those raised in past generations. They are more independent and due to the Internet know more about the world around them.

There are specific things that are important to be taught to the youth of today.

1. Respect their parents, unless specific circumstances prevent it.

2. Respect themselves and their body.

3. Do not listen to a friend or family member if your 'gut' feeling tells you not to. If in doubt ask someone in authority for help.

4. Get an education. This does not have to be college. Learn a trade that will make you financially independent.

5. Be kind and respectful to others. Do not expect to always 'take'. It is just as nice to 'give' once in a while.

6. Take care of yourself. Date wisely. Give a great deal of thought before you marry a guy or a girl who hits or beats you. Keep in mind that one day you too might be a parent. Your child will look to you for guidance. What would you tell them? That they should marry in haste or to walk away when a relationship does not look good especially if there are black and blue marks over their body.

Do not rush into any relationship. If it is meant to be, it will happen sooner or later.

Source

My own thoughts and my own opinions.