Foremost of the gifts my parents gave me was a stable childhood. Before becoming a parent myself, I vowed to give that same gift to any child of mine.
Watching my daughter with my grandson over this first year of his life has persuaded me that her mother and I succeeded in passing along that gift to her. She - and my son-in-law - are unfailingly attentive to this little man. As such, they are providing him with an imprint he will carry his entire life. I know this to be true because that imprint remains with me from my earliest years. Nothing can take the place of stability early in any child's life. Every child needs to know they can depend, without exception, on their parents.
Being with my grandson fills me with immeasurable joy, a joy sometimes interrupted with thoughts of the countless infants and toddlers worldwide who are living unstable lives. Modern day medicine has taught us that the living legacy of trauma - whatever its source - is difficult to surmount. When that trauma reaches back to early childhood, that difficulty can sometimes be intractable.
Given that, how can any of us who were held continually, read to constantly, cared for unreservedly - as I was, my daughter was, my grandson is - ever be too grateful for such an irreplaceable gift?
The security that parents give their children is the best gift. The confidence in knowing that you are loved is one of the first steps to making them ready to face the world. As a parent to older but still school age children I am seeing how these early attachments transform them into capable young adults. I am never too busy to listen to them, hug them, or help them--that is the best parenting advice I can give. These years go by so fast, but your parenting leaves impressions that last forever.
ReplyDeleteMarisa; Nice to see a comment from you. I've always known how fortunate I was to have the parents I did because they did help "...make me ready to face the world."
DeleteI agree with all of the above! And one can NEVER be too grateful. I feel fortunate to have had a similar childhood experience which I hope I have passed on to my child and grandchildren. Hopefully someday a great grandchild.
ReplyDeleteInes; Thanks for the comment and affirmation of the sentiments in my post.
DeleteIt is extremely rewarding to see the child you raised being an outstanding parent to their child. Words can not express the feeling of joy and accomplishment that you feel.
ReplyDeleteChris; Nice change of pace to see a comment from you on a non-music related subject. Thanks.
DeleteLove you Geeps!
ReplyDeleteSweetheart; Right back at you.
DeleteHey Pat. I'm guessing that those of us that are offering comments are around the same age, plus/minus 5-8 years or so. Different times for parenting, but the sentiments from those days remain, mostly. My parents raised me and my 3 siblings in a loving home and it definitely transferred to when I was raising my 2 kids. And although their mother and I divorced we remained committed to our children and providing them with the love that all children need. And that has also transferred to how our kids are raising their children. And it is easy to see the love that is given to our three grandsons. I have no doubt that this wonderful cycle will continue.
ReplyDeleteBe well,
Bob
Bob; Actually, two of the four earlier comments above are in fact from much younger people than you guessed but the substance of your comment is still apt. The passing down from generation to generation of the irreplaceable gift of stability is something that ensures your family - for generations to come - will thrive. I know you are as grateful for that as I am.
Delete