Who, Me?

It is probably a good thing that there is no test or qualifications that have to be met to become a parent. Who would pass? Before I became one, I don't think there was a more unlikely candidate. Certainly my behavior leading up to it wouldn't have qualified me. I think quite the opposite is true and is true for most of us. Perhaps for the same reason former addicts can be good counselors to other addicts, parents go through adolescence and young adulthood so they will know what they don't want their kids to act like. I am pretty sure few people want their kids to act like they did.

Here's an exercise that will scare you. Next time you are in the mall, look at the teenagers and try to pick one that might make a good parent. Good luck. The pool of candidates will definitely make you wonder. Now consider that most of these teens will be parents. "HERE WE COME READY OR NOT!"

It is probably a good thing that baby's come out of left field and from activities that are instinctual and not from a rational thought process. This certainly makes for a broad base of unlikely parents. Over the years, some of the people that I thought would be the poster children for the poor parenting movement, have been just the opposite and been very good at it. Others that I thought would take to it like ducks to water, have struggled.

In generations past, life provided a clearer template for those who kept the species going. Food and shelter were full time jobs and leisure time was minimal. Out of necessity, children worked along side their parents as soon as they were able. By the time they were in their teens, they had developed sufficient life skills to survive on their own. Industrialization and computerization have made providing for life's needs a much smaller part of our existence. Now, children are children longer. The stay at home and play video games, surf the web, and watch MTV. They prepare for life by playing endless hours of Grand theft auto and dressing and acting like the people they see in music videos. I don't see how this is good parenting preparation, but being an optimist, I am against mass sterilization of an entire generation based on appearance and an uneasy feeling. I fully expect to be surprised and amazed.

Still, if I were putting together a curriculum for parenting, I think it would look a lot different. If you are raising kids now, you might want to keep in mind that you are providing the curriculum for future parents. That thought didn't occur to me when I had children at home. I am sure it would have changed things somewhat.

Well, if you find yourself a parent now or soon to be a parent, buckle up, I think you're in for quite a ride. I know you're in for a challenge and surprises you just can't imagine. Now that I'm a grandparent, parenting is a pretty entertaining spectator sport. Go team, go! (I am ashamed to admit, it is kind of fun to watch the parents get out manuevered and out played by the grandkids. It is such poetic justice.) Hang in there you parents, you may make a comeback in the second half.