What We Want for Our Children
From the time our children are born the one thing we want is for them to be happy - to have a good life. I'm sure it is what my parents wanted as it is the same thing I have always wanted for mine. If they are happy then we are too.
When they are babies and small children ensuring this happiness is much easier. Their needs are few and even the smallest things can bring them the joy that only children seem to embrace so easily. They are happy knowing that we love them and will take care of them. If only these years would last forever.
As they grow into teenagers they need us less, and need the approval of their peers more. Trying to fit in can bring much anxiety and the happiness once so easily found can become a struggle. As much as we would love to "fix" things for them we know that is not possible, and also that they do not want us to. We are no longer the ones that can guarantee their happiness, as it is now up to them to determine their path to this destination. We can only sit back and watch them sail through these waters that can be smooth one day and rough the next. If we are lucky they may ask our advice on occasion so we can try to guide them through rough times.
We watch as they move into adulthood and hope that they will find a good person to share their life with. Someone who will be an equal partner and enhance their life - not someone who will take and drain them emotionally or financially. And if their relationships are not good ones then we will suffer with them as all parents do, and pray for them to have the strength to carry themselves out to a healthier place. For if they can get to that healthy place then we know that life will be better and perhaps they can once again be happy. The joy of a good relationship not only improves their life, but also will improve the lives of their children.
We strive to give them all of our wisdom in hopes that they will not make the same mistakes that we did. But at the same time we know that as hard as we try, they will make their own mistakes and pick themselves up and learn from them. And when they have children they will try to do the same to no avail, and will watch at times with sorrow and heartache as we did when they see them struggle to find their way.
If only we could hold on tight to the early years - when we knew that their happiness was something we could ensure.
When they are babies and small children ensuring this happiness is much easier. Their needs are few and even the smallest things can bring them the joy that only children seem to embrace so easily. They are happy knowing that we love them and will take care of them. If only these years would last forever.
As they grow into teenagers they need us less, and need the approval of their peers more. Trying to fit in can bring much anxiety and the happiness once so easily found can become a struggle. As much as we would love to "fix" things for them we know that is not possible, and also that they do not want us to. We are no longer the ones that can guarantee their happiness, as it is now up to them to determine their path to this destination. We can only sit back and watch them sail through these waters that can be smooth one day and rough the next. If we are lucky they may ask our advice on occasion so we can try to guide them through rough times.
We watch as they move into adulthood and hope that they will find a good person to share their life with. Someone who will be an equal partner and enhance their life - not someone who will take and drain them emotionally or financially. And if their relationships are not good ones then we will suffer with them as all parents do, and pray for them to have the strength to carry themselves out to a healthier place. For if they can get to that healthy place then we know that life will be better and perhaps they can once again be happy. The joy of a good relationship not only improves their life, but also will improve the lives of their children.
We strive to give them all of our wisdom in hopes that they will not make the same mistakes that we did. But at the same time we know that as hard as we try, they will make their own mistakes and pick themselves up and learn from them. And when they have children they will try to do the same to no avail, and will watch at times with sorrow and heartache as we did when they see them struggle to find their way.
If only we could hold on tight to the early years - when we knew that their happiness was something we could ensure.
Comments
Post a Comment