Parenting Takes Time--Dejanae

Parenting is highly underrated, especially in today’s society. There are those without kids
and there are people who actually have kids, but everyone has a different point of view as to what parenting is and what it requires to be one. I’m sure there is no absolute correct answer to what a parent should and shouldn’t do to be considered a good parent. No one could never be perfect all the time and that goes for parenting as well. Many take that responsibility lightly, and others over use the authority that is given to them with that responsibility. There is aching downfalls and monumental ups that comes along with the rollercoaster ride of being a parent. Not everyone will be in a great position when it came or comes time for them to become a parent, but by interviewing my nothing less of perfect mother I learned that parenting requires one huge thing that many don’t possess. Many eventually have to learn it. With that being said that thing is PATIENCE!! 

My mother became a parent in the year of 1996. My mother’s name is Catrina Counts Perry. October 24, 1996 my mom would learn that she would be a mother for the rest of her life. Despite not knowing what would happen being new to this whole concept of parenting she knew she had another life that she brought into this world, which was her blood and a piece of herself

that she would raise to the best of her ability. In total my mom has had eleven kids, but raised eighteen including my seven step brothers and sisters. She became a mom and a role model at a young age. However, she was mature enough and strong enough to never back down from her trials and tribulations. When it came to parenting my mother installed 75% of her own techniques and 25% of her parents. However, through her ongoing years of parenting she caught herself at times portraying something she didn’t want to do that her parents did with her. When a moment like that presented itself that’s when my mother realized that despite these techniques that she thought was right there was that thing patience that she knew she had to master. 

Patience is one hell of a thing to use when it’s tested constantly. It’s also something that you should use when it comes to discipline. That was easy for my mom to realize. When it comes to discipline my mom believes the first person she should discipline is herself. With that being said when her patience is being tested she puts herself on a timeout. She gathers herself and makes sure she is thinking and acting in a clear way. With that being said she also uses that approach when it comes to the heartaches of parenting. My mother managed to stay strong and calm by and I quote, “Belief in positivity and knowing that I can weather the storm.” There have been many storms that mother had to weather and when I was younger I didn’t notice because she was always the same loving, nurturing, funny, best friend, role model that I’ve always known to love and respect. The older I got the more I noticed that my mom’s life wasn’t perfect, but she wouldn’t let anything interfere with her being a parent to her children. That is a quality that I will always be thankful to her for because she never let anything come in between her children .

Through close observations and numerous conversations with my mom I learned that she parents her daughters differently from her sons. Besides the fact that the two are clearly different when it comes to the girl and boy things her main reasoning for teaching them differently in her words is, “I teach and parent differently because women act and make decisions emotionally, but guys act mentally.” With me not wanting to agree with her and completely close-minded I eventually reverted to some of the decisions I’ve made realizing that she was right. That is something that she has come to learn from the years she has been able to parent. With that being said her main objective of all this parenting is that she wants all her kids to be better than herself. Also, she wants her children to go through life with principles, responsibility, integrity, and values. 

Through observation and conversations I’ve learned that parenting is primarily patience along with a few other little pieces too. To me just like others my mother is the best representation of a parent, mother, friend, and person. Not perfect, but she is close to what I would consider perfect. Parenting is a hard task, but it’s one of the most beautiful things that come with life. If I ever come to be a mother and a parent I will turn my shoulder and ask my mother for guidance. She and my father have guided me to where I am in life. . She has installed ways and beliefs that I will carry on with me through life that I will always cherish. Both of my parents have given my siblings and I genuine love and lessons throughout my lifespan and I know that it will continue because the love for each other and love for their kids is endless and unconditional.