Steemit Engagement Challenge S6/W1 - The Joy Of Parenthood

Being a parent transforms your life forever as it comes with the wonderful feeling of fulfillment. When you carry your newfound bundle of joy in your arms, one might wonder what it signifies to be a parent. Being a parent means much more than you being called the mother or father of a baby. Here you get to see what means to be a parent and the blessings and joy that comes with it.

WHO IS A PARENT?

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Going through the dictionaries, one gets to see the diverse meaning of who a parent is.

a mother or father of a person or an animal, or someone who looks after a person in the same way that a parent does - Cambridge Dictionary

For most of us, a parent is a biological representative for a child, i.e someone who has given or put to birth. However, this is not always the case as those who go through the process of adoption are just as parents as any biological mothers or fathers.

I would say, a parent is anyone standing as a legal guardian to a child. Someone who cares for a child from the point of their early years up until adulthood.

A parent is a person who provides for a young child financially, emotionally, socially, and educationally. A parent is someone that counsels and prepares a young child on how to navigate life’s many ordeals and difficulties.

Then if parents do all these, what joys do they derive in doing all these and more?

JOYS EXPERIENCED BY PARENTS FOR BECOMING PARENTS?

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The joys experienced by parents are numerous to count as different people have different reasons for becoming parents. As the saying, "As our faces are different, so are our heart desires". Therefore, this feeling of joy ranges from different reasons such as social, psychological, emotional, etc which may include some or all of the following.

• The feeling of giving birth
• Watching the kids grow
• Seeing the world through their eyes
• Togetherness
• Self-esteem etc.

Becoming a parent comes with the joy of having a child of your own. A child of your image, a living being out of you, someone to carry your name as their surname and extend your legacy. This is the number-one joy of every parent thus the saying "Blood is thicker than Water".

At birth, Parents swim in oxytocin, the “love hormone” as soon as they carry their newborn baby, made to help them bond and care for the baby. Parents even experience rises in oxytocin levels from just watching pictures of their baby, hearing their noises, or smelling their scent which also controls milk production and expression. This joy is experienced by both extended families as their family continuity is sure.

Watching the kids grow up before their parent's eyes is counted as a blessing that one can never imagine.
That first baby rolls over or sits up is likened to a new light suddenly shining. Parents tend to celebrate their children's first spoken word or the first step.

These wonderful feelings don’t stop in childhood. Feats such as graduation and passing their driver’s permit test are thrilling to parents more than it is to the kids. To some parents, every step and every moment of their kids is an honor to watch and share among their peers.

As earlier said, it is a joy for every parent to see their kid(s) happy. This makes parents always prepare before the child is even born, by buying baby clothes, arranging the baby's room, and making sure everything for the baby's comfort is put in place.

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Few people find this disheartening as to them, being a parent means going through a lot most of the time to provide for their children's needs. Such as

• Lossing sleep
• More expenses
• Not achieving one's dreams etc

In the end, this is exactly what makes parents happy as they have an avenue to be proud of what they can do and did for their kid(s). They saddle the entire responsibility to care for their kid(s) financially, emotionally, and socially which gives the kid(s) the feeling of belonging.

From my experience of being someone's child myself, I would say it does. But this can be said to be in a balance as it could go both ways. It is indeed a thing of great joy for every parent to see their child grow in good health, wisdom, and strength. But this could be different if the kid(s) tends to deviate from their way of life or become a nuisance. I can say proudly that every parent wants to see their kid(s) be somebody great in life and society at large, for that reason they always do their best to see that their kid(s) has the best they can offer and also guide them accordingly.

I find this question rhetorical because I haven't seen anyone who wouldn't. It is a big fat yes for me. As I wish to be a parent at some point in my life. This, I believe is the dream for all and I am not exempted, It has been my dream for me to carry my kid(s) of mine carry my name as I have my father's, and continue the legacy. This I believe would come in due time, which I look forward to with great anticipation.

For the nth time, a good parent is one who always gives the best for their kid(s) for them to be great in life. Thus, I won't be an exception to this as I also love to see my kid(s) grows and succeed in life.

I must make sure that my kid(s) don't lack what is needed for his/her personal growth. I am to guide, encourage and motivate my kid(s) when necessary to do the things that would bring joy not only to us parents but also to our maker.

Undoubtedly, there is so much joy in being a parent, that one cannot convincingly discuss it from a nonparent perspective as being a parent comes with its share of troubles, but in the end, I am to believe that the Joys outweigh these troubles.

I like to invite @patjewell, @ruthjoe and @fredquantum, and any other persons who would like to participate too to CLICK HERE for more instructions.

Thank you all for always making out time to go through my work, and I only hope you enjoyed it😉😁. I can never say thank you enough. You are my real MVPs.

NOTE: Always have a smile on your face, as you are never fully dressed without one.