I am a Parent

Well, shock of the century, here's me spouting off about something again:) 

I worked on this post after reading a post from Sarah, whose blog was the first one I ever read and happens to be my favorite to this day.  Seriously, she's amazing, and cracks me up because she gets all awesome-fiery, and does it with such tact and without apologizing--LOVE that!

Anyway, she really was talking about the teenage girl (and younger) phenomenon in regards to clothing, magazines, movies, music, etc. and how we could ever combat that as moms looking to raise basically, wholesome kids.  She called for a parenting revolution--and, as usual, I TOTALLY agree with her.

I've long thought that parents should have to take a vow, similar to those we take when we choose our life partners.  Although I'm sure this will evolve over time, here are my beliefs on paper.  (And, just to clarify, my husband is a wonderful partner, but I was looking at these things as something each individual would need to choose themselves, so that's why it's written in the first person!)

I am a Parent.

I am a friend to my peers,

but not to my child.

I will not use my child

to fill my own voids

in love,

image,

or popularity.

I am a soft place to fall

and sometimes a hard place to land

because I have standards

that I will not compromise,

disown,

or lower 

for any reason.

I will teach my child

about God

and His wonder

and tell him

about how He has changed

my life.

I will let my child roam free in nature,

growing, touching, climbing, learning,

and even sometimes falling

all on his own.

I will be there to dress his wounds

but I won't hover.

I will not get in the way

of my child's core being,

but I will direct his energies toward good.

I will allow him to fail.

A lot.

And develop the confidence

that comes after finally figuring it out

after so many failed attempts.

My child will understand the value

of hard work

and money

because he will learn by doing

and by example.

He will learn

there is no task he is too

important to complete

because he will be

made to do

some mundane

gross

difficult

but necessary

tasks.

He will not have everything

he wants

or everyone else has.

I will teach my child

that our bodies

are temples

and we must treat them

as so

in all we do

in regards to ourselves

and others.

I will not be a part of

teenage gossip

drinking

sexualization

or inappropriate trends.

I am not a teenager.

I will not allow him freedom

in all things.

media

fashion

friends

play

in my home

will all happen

and sometimes not happen

under my watchful eye

as I deem appropriate.

I will not

inherently trust him,

but I will allow him

to build trust over time

and enjoy the privileges

that come with trust.

I will not allow him

to quit something he started

midway

or not try his best

at all times.

I will allow him

to choose

what he loves

and pursue those things

with enthusiasm.

I will not complete

his school projects

at 3am

on the due date.

He will take an F

and the consequences

that come with it.

I will encourage

questioning

but I will

have the final say.

I will continue to

learn

read

talk

research

about parenting

because I know that I

don't have all the answers.

I will make

well-informed choices

that suit our family

even if and when

they may not be

popular.

I will do my best

to make our home

a place that fosters

happiness

creativity

peace

love

fun

respect

from and to

everyone.

And I will

mess up.

A lot.

And I will

apologize.

A lot.

But, I will not become

complacent

about parenting.

Because I love

my family

and my child

and I know

that all children are 

precious gifts.

And I truly believe

that raising a child

to be a 

competent

confident

happy

healthy

fulfilled

faithful

adult

is the greatest

opportunity

challenge

blessing

responsibility

joy

that I will ever know.

I'd love to hear your thoughts/additions:)  What would be in your "parent vows"?