Parenting: The Most Challenging, but Most Rewarding Job

Many times, when it comes to parenting, you only get one side of the story. If you’re speaking to a parent; you’re usually getting the bad side of the story because let’s face it; us parents need to vent!

What we don’t always share, is that parenting is the most challenging, but most rewarding job. Along with all things, where there is bad; there is always good.

Parenting, by far, is the most challenging, but most rewarding job. Ever.

(A) You will never love more than you love this human being that is a part of you. That you carried within you for 9 months (more or less depending) and is a very literal piece of you.

(B) They will frustrate you, hurt you, anger you; but your heart is always so full of love that there is nothing this human can do to make that love dull, lessen or leave.

(C) You will never find someone who loves you more, more unconditionally, than your child. We make mistakes. We are only human. But our young children still love us. They don’t see those mistakes. (I promise you, we are much harder on ourselves than our children ever are.)

Did you ever see that video on YouTube from the Card Store?

It was titled Job interview World’s Toughest Job Happy Mothers Day. Here, watch –

Please note: I don’t feel this should only pertain to mothers. I am speaking to parents and think that the video should have focused on parents as well. We all know single dads out there who take care of their kids; grandparents raising their grandchildren; etc. It is all parents.

To continue from above…

(D) The love a parent has for their children is unmatched by any other love. There are no words to describe this love.

When a parent holds their child in their arms for the first time, they are consumed with a love that overshadows anything they have ever experienced.

This love can be both amazing and painful, as it becomes when you see your child experience any hurt or pain.

The stronger your love for someone, the deeper you empathize with them. Any pain a parent witnesses a child go through is even more painful to them than if they were experiencing it themselves.

(E) A person may feel they have life figured out – until they have children. Suddenly, life’s purpose changes, as do an individual’s priorities.

(F) It is a great privilege and responsibility to raise a child to become an adult. (It can also be a little intimidating when you really think about it!) This can be one of the most amazing and terrifying thoughts a parent may deal with in their entire life.

BUT (yes, big but) it is a joy to be the one whose input assists your child in finding their way to a healthy and fulfilling life. It is joy when you see your child succeed. It is full body happiness when your child does something so well that you give yourself that little tiny pat on the back and acknowledge that you had some part in that success, in that good deed, in teaching your child how to be a good human being.

(G) It is difficult to be cynical when you are a parent to a young child who is amazed by everything from ladybugs to the joy of ripping up grass. Children remind us, without trying, to appreciate the little things in life.

I promise you – that age old saying that time flies and your kids grow right before your eyes – they are true.

Take the time to just enjoy the little things. I love nothing more than just sitting and watching them. Seeing the little wheels in their heads turn. It is the most fascinating part of my day.

Parenting is a huge job, but it is one of the most meaningful things that a person could devote their life to.

The sleepless nights and moments of stress are worth it all when you look at your child and realize the lifelong impact you have in their world.

It may be tough, but parenting is without doubt, one of the most rewarding jobs that someone could ever dream of or hope for.