We didn’t have our boys until our mid-thirties. Until the arrival of our first son, our lives revolved around work, socializing with other childless couples and an ordered home. We hardly ever came across children and, as an only child, I had never had the experience of growing up with siblings. I had never worked with kids – not ever babysat. Considering all this, it’s a miracle I wanted children of my own (thank goodness for the primeval urges of the biological clock.)
Now you might be thinking that there is nothing wrong with this picture, but I do find that my lack of contact with children until I had my own leaves me at somewhat of a disadvantage, especially when it comes to the inevitable challenges that come with parenting territory. Having been a quiet, shy, well-behaved, girlie girl myself and now finding myself as the mother of two boisterous, busy boys, I have very limited background from which to provide perspective and an understanding of the way in which children approach the world. On the more fast paced, frustrating days I can only liken the feeling as driving on the highway without a license.
Isn’t it strange that in life we are trained and educated in so many things – but for the most important job in the world – being a parent – being a mother – we are left to our own devices? Gee – if you need a license to catch a fish or get a dog – doesn’t it make sense to make us all pass the “parent test” before we start nurturing the minds and bodies of the future.
I am kidding, of course, but thank goodness for parenting books, wise, new-found friends from my new kid-focused life, and a husband who remembers growing up with three brothers and his own boyhood full of scrapes and capers.
And if handling the challenges of parenting do not come naturally, the joys certainly do – no license needed there!
This post was contributed by Kate, an urbanmoms.ca member and mother of two boys 3 and 6. If you are interested in contributing a post, please send your story to email@urbanmoms.ca.