Relish Parenthood

I have spotlighted the statement: “Relish Parenthood” as it is my desire to create a relish parenthood philosophy in the minds of the many. As parents, we often become so busy with the day to day that we do not make mental time nor physical quality time to relish in what we have. Many parents report feeling overwhelmed by parenthood as it includes much responsibility, time, effort, and energy. Many report feeling the strain of trying to balance one’s children’s needs (e.g., emotional, behavioral, educational, social) with work, marriage, and self and thus loose the joy of being a parent.

There are parents that are grieving the loss of a child never to return home either by death whether it be due to one’s young-adult child has never returned home from serving in the military, or whether one has lost one’s child as a youth due to medical illness, or whether one’s child has gone missing. There are so many women struggling everyday with infertility wishing they could have children, this is a loss of what is not to currently be and the hopes for what could be. There are children sick with long term illnesses. The list of the range of parenting emotional pain is wide and varied.

My message to the many is that those that do have children; relish parenthood, treasure parenthood, enjoy parenthood right now and every single day.

Days before Mother’s Day 2011, and one month before Father’s Day 2011, I created a pen with the words on it: Relish Parenthood. A simple item used in all households that reminds us of how we are all unique, and yet, we all share something in common with every other person, and that is that we all do utilize a pen for a wide range of needs. I put these words on this burgundy colored pen with silver writing in an effort to remind those I come in contact with to treasure the gift of parenthood. The next time you are using a pen whether it is to write a supermarket list for food for the family, or planning on your calendar an activity you need to take your child to, remember, you are blessed to have children, relish in it! Take a moment of silence out of your day to honor those women that have lost their child or are unable to conceive, and take a moment to relish in the joy that you have been given a true gift of being a parent. Be grateful, value, and appreciate parenthood. Treat your children like the gift that they are.

If you have any questions about the Relish Parenthood concept, or wish me, Dr. Karen Ruskin, to come to your organization to speak on this topic, you are welcome to contact me directly.

Warmly,
Dr. Karen