In many ways, I know that I have been my children’s first and most continuous teacher. But, as time passes, I also have come to realize just how much they have taught me. Looking back on the person I was at the beginning of this parenting journey, and all the belief systems and ideas I held to be “true” and realizing how many lessons I’ve learned from my children, I can see that they have been my teachers as much as I have been theirs…
I suppose we are taught lessons through parenting and by our children, regardless of whether we are open to such growth or not. But, I think that allowing ourselves to be open and available to learn from our kids can make the process more worthwhile. If we get very rigid or stuck in our belief systems, we may not be able to take full advantage of the ways our children can help us grow and develop as people and as parents.
There are specific instances where I have been absolutely convinced that my approach was the “right one” and, over time, I’ve learned through my interaction and relationship with one of my children that there truly were other ways of looking at things. As saying goes, experience is definitely the best teacher, and life with children might arguable be some of the most intensive experiences available.
Now that my children are older and have really begun developing individual interests and talents, it’s amazing the things they are bringing back to teach me. Sometimes, it feels like instead of having just one link to the outside world, I have been given four–four different perspectives and points of view, four different individuals full of gifts, talents, and skills–and if only I stay open and humble, there are myriad lessons for me to learn–all thanks to my children.
See Also: Living in the Present and What I Love About Parenting Teenagers