It’s interesting to realize that the word ‘parent’ is multidimensional, just like the people it describes. In simple terms, a parent is both a noun (person, place or thing) and a verb (an action, state or occurrence). Don’t worry, it gets better.
As a noun, it’s the people who brought a precious baby into the world, or who adopted him/her as their own. The people who are responsible for that child’s well-being. The people who proudly answer the call for “mama” or “dada” at 2:34 a.m.
But, as with so many things in life, being a parent is much more about action. I’m verb-ing from sunrise to sunset as a full-time mom. And my husband is just as verb-a-licious when he’s not working his tail off.
What does it look like?
It’s putting down your phone and sharing a chuckle with your baby instead of checking your latest text message.
It’s meticulously combing the depths of the high chair seat for the latest food morsels: avocado, tofu, broccoli, scrambled eggs, peaches, and the like. And doing this three times a day.
It’s reading “Llama Llama Red Pajama” when you can barely keep your own eyes open.
It’s spending hours and hours comparing car seat ratings on Consumer Reports and Amazon until you find the perfect one.
It’s taking her on her very first ‘choo choo’ ride and loving every minute.
It’s insisting on socks, even when she just pulls them off three seconds later.
It’s celebrating things like digestive regularity. Yes, poop! I know, it’s gross!
It’s planning for the future, both emotionally and financially.
It’s visiting a place called Ergadoozy and hurting your back while leaning awkwardly over the plastic slide, so that your baby doesn’t fall out of the play structure.
It’s all these things, big and small, day in and day out. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
As a noun, it’s the people who brought a precious baby into the world, or who adopted him/her as their own. The people who are responsible for that child’s well-being. The people who proudly answer the call for “mama” or “dada” at 2:34 a.m.
But, as with so many things in life, being a parent is much more about action. I’m verb-ing from sunrise to sunset as a full-time mom. And my husband is just as verb-a-licious when he’s not working his tail off.
What does it look like?
It’s putting down your phone and sharing a chuckle with your baby instead of checking your latest text message.
It’s meticulously combing the depths of the high chair seat for the latest food morsels: avocado, tofu, broccoli, scrambled eggs, peaches, and the like. And doing this three times a day.
It’s reading “Llama Llama Red Pajama” when you can barely keep your own eyes open.
It’s spending hours and hours comparing car seat ratings on Consumer Reports and Amazon until you find the perfect one.
It’s taking her on her very first ‘choo choo’ ride and loving every minute.
It’s insisting on socks, even when she just pulls them off three seconds later.
It’s celebrating things like digestive regularity. Yes, poop! I know, it’s gross!
It’s planning for the future, both emotionally and financially.
It’s visiting a place called Ergadoozy and hurting your back while leaning awkwardly over the plastic slide, so that your baby doesn’t fall out of the play structure.
It’s all these things, big and small, day in and day out. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
