The Parenting Journey (a poem)

Sometimes when you set out into the land of parenting you can be a little bit gung ho and think that everything is just going to fall into place. You think that you will give birth to this rosy cheeked angel who will grown into the perfect child and then the perfect teenager and the journey will end when they fly the nest as a fully formed adult.

But in reality we all know it’s not quite that simple. We forget that most of the time we spend struggling with next to no sleep. Partners who seemed almost perfect suddenly become an annoyance at best; at worst, they disappear altogether and leave you to do the job all on your lonesome.

It’s a really difficult road to traverse and a lot of people gloss over the horrible bits. That’s pretty much what this poem aims to address. It’s the pain and the agony, the tears and the tantrums in all of their technicolour glory. It’s true that children really are a blessing but life is difficult and parenting really brings this message to the forefront. So without further ado, I give you The Parenting Journey:

The blurred and fuzzy black and white

image doesn’t seem so right

knowing that the little bean is mine.

I’ve seen it played out for

The other couples that deserve it more,

That know the way to sparkle and to shine

As loving leaders who will guide

That little child and push aside

The horrors that can plague our earth.

And when the babe is finally born,

And our hearts are gladly torn

Into shreds that have no worth,

We realise without a doubt

That older worries all mean nowt,

As new life starts to take its root.

There will be pain and hurt and strife

As there is as part of life

And that’s a point you can’t dispute.

So then you have to watch them grow

Even though it hurts you so

To watch them stumble, trip and fall,

When all that’s running over, round and through

Your mind are all the things that are not true

That hold you back from standing tall.

It’s all a bunch of hurtful lies

That are designed to close your eyes

To all the things you do so well.

You’ve brought him up through all these years

Of fun, of laughter and some tears.

Sure you lose your temper, you may yell.

You may wonder what it is that keeps you going,

And then you see him as he’s growing

And see the journey you are taking.

You realise it’s worth the struggle,

The daily battles that you juggle,

Because there’s love with no mistaking.

21 thoughts on “The Parenting Journey (a poem)”

  1. momelite2

    I can so relate to this, especially after this weekend. Parenting can be such a mix of pride and humility. You just never know what each day will bring. One thing that is constant is the love for our kids.

    Reply

  2. Joanna

    I don;t have children but I can imagine that having one is the hardest job on earth. And it’s not just happy moments, there are plenty of struggles as well.

    Reply

  4. Kristin O'Ferrall

    Today of all days, this poem was great to read. As a parent, you just want to wrap your child in bubble wrap and protect them from all the hurts and disappointments. You know that what your child is experiencing is part of life, but it is still hard to watch and provide the needed space. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  12. aisasami

    This is a very deep poem that I couldn’t agree more with! I am actually not a parent but I am a teacher. I have the same feelings that you describe in your poem. I might not be a full-time caregiver though.

    Reply

  14. Marjie Mare

    This is so beautiful and speaks to my heart. The funny thing my kids are grown but that feeling lasts forever in our heart as parents.

    Reply

  15. myspiritualshenanigans

    Aww…I hear this a lot from parents. Raising children is challenging but when you see them growing up into wise little men and women, it’s the most precious realization ever. You certainly struck a chord here 🙂

    Reply

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