07/03/2024
BE A PRESENT PARENT:
Something we can all agree on is that being a parent is undoubtedly one of the most challenging yet rewarding roles an individual can ever have. From the moment children are born, they require a significant amount of time and attention, and it is the responsibility of parents to ensure that they are loved, cared for, fed, challenged, protected, educated, and everything in between.
Initially, my wife and I were the focal point of our children's lives, like most of us parents. All they ever wanted was to spend time with us. However, as they grew older, things inevitably changed. I blinked, and suddenly I found myself with teenagers who no longer yearned for constant attention but instead desired to explore their own identities and needed their personal space. Despite the difficulty, we have to accept it, and we adapted as best as we could, always striving for improvement. We knew this is part of their own growth development.
Their lives became filled with friends, school, extracurricular activities, and other priorities that occupied their unique minds. Although we may not receive the same attention we once did from our children when they were younger, deep down, I know that they will always treasure the joyful moments we shared during their early years. They understand our love for them, even if they express it in unusual ways sometimes.
Witnessing our children grow and mature is undeniably a blessing. While I sometimes yearn for more time with my children when they were little, I also feel immensely grateful for the incredible memories and opportunities we have had together. As a society, we often find ourselves pulled in various directions by obligations, commitments, and the daily stresses of life. However, our true calling is to raise these precious gifts bestowed upon us by God, our children. This is our higher calling. I will make mistakes but I will always strive to be the kind of parent who, when our children grow older and leave home, is the first thought that comes to their minds when holidays or university breaks approach. Even if it is the second or third thought, as long as they miss us and know that we love them always, it would be enough. We also strive to be their go-to option whenever they make mistakes, regardless of their magnitude, or when they need advice or someone to talk to about anything. We want to ensure that they always know our love for them is unconditional. We will always be here for them.
As someone who has been caught up in the past and lost sight of what truly matters, I offer this advice: When you start your work shift, give it your all. Work hard, dream big, and strive to succeed every single day. However, when you get home, find a way to leave work behind and focus on your family. Life is unpredictable and fast. Whether it's a vacation, a special event, or a family dinner, be fully present. Otherwise, you may blink and find yourself longing for the time that has slipped away. Be a present parent and make more cherished wonderful memories with your children because apart from your love, thats all they will have with them when you’re gone. Make it count. Start Today.