When we become parents, we assume that we
are the party responsible for education in the relationship that ensues. We
teach our precious bundles to crawl, stand, eat, walk. Then in years to come we
teach them how to read, write, study, and the differences between right and
wrong.
We watch them doing concerts, eisteddfods,
priding ourselves on the great jobs we have done. Patting ourselves on the
back. We plaster them all over Facebook, Instagram, Watsapp.
But in reality, when you really open your
eyes, you find that you are in fact, the one being schooled.
Since you became a parent, you have learned
humility. You have learned that chipped nailpolish, chewed nails, faces sans
makeup, hair with 3 months’ worth of regrowth, are not the end of the world. That
as long as your children are healthy, happy, and safe, your own pride comes
last. You learn that a stain on your shirt, or a couple of missing buttons, are
easily overlooked in comparison to a hug, fixing a scraped knee, and some
slobbery kisses.
You have learned patience. You have had to
repeat yourself 1000 times. Told the same story. Issued the same warning, been
asked the same questions. Tied the same shoelaces, blown the same nose.
You have learned about honesty. You have
learned loyalty without bounds. Been
called in to see the same teacher, same principal, had the same parents
contacting you. Maintaining solidly that as long as your child is honest with
you, you will fight their battles. You will have their backs.
But most of all, you have learned about
love. Because I promise you, that no love can ever compare to the love of a
child. The love you have for that irritating, dirty, rude, whiny, monster is
incomparable and the greatest kindness you can ever hope for.
