The Seven Stages of Parenthood

Phase 1: The Twinkle in Your Eye.

"Shall we start a family, darling?" The biological clock ticks, the maternal instinct weighs heavy. Seeing babies everywhere prompts a sigh, "isn't she so cute?". All helped of course by the tiresome chore called "making babies".

Stage 2: Conception and Birth

As a woman you know when you have conceived for sure. And, it’s soon confirmed by morning sickness, moodiness and many times with biological changes you never believed could ever happen to you. But, it is all worth it when you feel that first flutter inside your belly. The thought of a life growing within you is awesome.

Nonetheless, the discomfort goes on increasing in proportion with the physical weight, the swollen ankles and many other discomforts.

Then comes the D-Day! You had been preparing for it for nine months yet the severity of it hits you unawares. You flinch, twitch and scream your guts out. You swear you will never let this happen to you again. Suddenly, it’s over and an entirely new feeling envelopes you. You are on top of the world! A complete being has come through you!

Stage 3: The Novelty of Everything

You go through an entirely new experience when you bring the baby home. The first few days/weeks are marked by sleepless nights, sore nipples, running around to get things done and dieting to lose all those extra pounds.

Every step in development is an occasion for celebration – the first time she sat, crawled, stood up and took a few steps all on her own! Even the first potty and first solid food or the first tantrum is a major event in your world that revolves around her.

Then you begin to sing nursery rhymes and tell bedtime stories

The time to go to school comes with mixed feeling. While you look forward to spend some time with your self and reclaim your life, you are paranoid about letting her out of sight.

Act 4: Play, School and Parties

Then your cuddly baby gets busy with friends in the school. What the teacher and friends say is gospel truth.

You may not find her jokes very funny.

You see them find their first best friend, and you are there for them when the first rejection happens. You encourage them to play in spite of the scraped knees and you listen to their unfair complaints of the other not being fair.

How hard it is to let them go - but you can't protect them from everything.

Stage 5 – Serious Schooling

The next stage is marked by learning the skills to read and write and to add up numbers. Some kids sail through it easily, while others have to struggle hard to learn. You begin to notice individual differences among kids. For some parents this stage is long and arduous while others find it exciting and enjoyable.

Even so, there are always the little events to remember - All she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth (along with Barbie and a puppy dog!)

This is the time to teach discipline to your child because he is no longer a little baby.

Phase 6 - Pre-teens and Puberty

Boys and girls require different treatment when they are about to enter puberty. They are different in so many ways. Girls appear to be frivolous and boys pretend to be very smart, but both need special care to cross over the various changes happening in their bodies.

However, don’t dictate your preferences in clothes to them. They think you are out of date and they know what’s in fashion.

language is cool too.

Help her through her first bra, her first period, her lipstick and makeup, her awkwardness and so on.

Act 7 – Adult and Grown Up

Suddenly boys and girls are not so alien after all. Does (s)he fancy me?

Now, parents take the backseat and friends become all-important. Suddenly, parents know nothing, and they know everything.

It’s friends who matter and your relevance takes the back seat. There will be conflict of opinion; don’t lose your cool. And, above all, don’t recount what you’ve done for her. Be patient and pleasant. Be firm but try and understand her point of view and help her deal with peer pressure.

The good thing is that now your child is a new young adult and you can have a refreshing conversation with her. Make sure you don’t sermonize.

Then, as suddenly as it had come, the period of turbulent adolescence is over. There is calm after the storm. You meet your young adult, a complete human being full of dreams and ideals but a bit short on confidence and wisdom.

Epilogue: Go, Went, Gone

All these years of parenthood had become a habit. You went through each phase happily and not-so-happily, but your life revolved around them. Then, one day, they’re gone! But, you still worry and hope for them.

Robert Munsch has put it rightly: "I'll love you, forever. I'll like you, for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be" -

The years will pass so quickly. Make the most of every one of them along the way.

Article Source: http://www.christiannotepad.com

Dr. Noel Swanson has written a highly entertaining and very informative book on managing child behavior problems - The GOOD CHILD Guide. Many pediatric nurses consider it a must read for all parents. Also get his parenting articles here.
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