Why Parenting is Difficult But Rewarding

I have been a father for over five years now. To be quite honest, I can hardly believe it. I didn’t realize it has been that long already. Parenthood is an everyday experience that taught me a lot of things.

I can’t say that I adequately prepared before I became a father nor that I knew exactly how it’s going to turn out. But it proved to be a very worthwhile experience so far.

My daughter is now five years old and I’m now 32 so I was 27 when I became a father. I thought it was the right age to be a parent. Some of my friends were having kids around the same time.

When to Have Kids

I remember a lot of talk with co-workers that involved the question of parenting age. Everyone had their own opinion on what age was appropriate. Some said you should try to be a parent as early as your 25th birthday while others felt 30’s or later was much more appropriate.

I guess most speak of their own experience and promote that as the ideal. For me parenting is something you can’t plan with certainty but one that you hope will turn out fine. Not every result is the same and not every experience is comparable.

Aspiring to be a Good Parent

When my daughter was born in 2007, I didn’t know if I was ready to be a father or not. But I wasn’t worried at all. It might be due to my ignorance of what lay ahead, but I recall no apprehension whatsoever.

I did, however, thought about what I can do to be a good parent. I knew I was going to be responsible for my daughter’s well-being. I knew her future will depend in large part to what I can do for her. I knew that I had to think more about her and less of myself.

But it was easier said than done. It was a difficult process that I had to learn day by day. And I know that I haven’t learned everything there is to know to be a good parent. Every day is a learning experience.

On the Job Training

Above anything else, I’d have to say that I underestimated the degree of patience parenting entailed. I thought I was a pretty cool guy to lose my patience with my kids. But as it turned out, I had very little to begin with.

I’d like to believe that because of my parenting experience, my patience has been renewed and that it would continue to improve. I know how kids are like when they need something or when I can’t get them to obey what I tell them to do.

There are different methods to deal with kids but being impatient is not one of them. I might be able to get away with snapping at my kids but it would result to a strained relationship. Different situations call for a parent’s best judgment on what to do. But the decision should always favor what’s best for the kids and not what’s fast and convenient.

Rewards of Parenthood

Despite all the hard work parenting involved, the joy and excitement it brought me has been extraordinary. I think about my life without my kids and where my level of happiness would have been. I could have survived but I know I would not have felt as happy and fulfilled.

These hypothetical scenarios bring me pause and gratitude. I’m thankful for my kids and feel extremely lucky to be with them daily. They are a source of meaning to my life that I will always cherish until the very end.