Parenthood….. Letting Go!

I don’t think anything prepares you for parenthood. Everyone experiences it in their own way, but there are some common denominators. I realise as you get older there is no right or wrong way to raise your children, you just have to do your best and hope they turn out decent enough human beings. The first few years are a blur, endless nappies, multi-tasking like a ninja; and 2 hours’ sleep were deemed a luxury. Then comes the learning stage, which is both hilarious and hard work at the same time, but I think the hardest part is letting them go, and letting them find their own niche in the world. You hope that you have done a decent enough job so they have a good chance. Life is harsh, so if we can equip them to handle whatever life throws at them then I think we have succeeded.
My generation didn’t travel much as youngsters or have that travel bug, that so much of our children’s generation seem to have, we tended to be more focused on getting a job, so we could start earning money. I only know a handful of people that went to University, or even thought about starting their own business. Then before you knew it we were settling down and having babies. We kind of ‘fell’ into our lifestyle without thinking much about tomorrow, (of course there were always the exceptions to the rule).
Our children’s generation, in some ways are more clued up, they have a plan (and stick to it), they want to explore the world, all before 30! They are waiting longer to have children of their own and the world is their oyster if they so choose. But on the flip side they are also the lost generation, with mindless violence, child pregnancies, abusing the elderly and unable. They appear to be split down the middle. So where do we find the balance? Or is it too late for that? I often wonder what my great grandchild’s generation will be like? The one biggest benefit to having children that are grown, is it’s our time again! You are never too old to pursue your dreams!