Feb
15

Being a Parent Gives You Life Lessons

This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.

It's amazing to see how much kids grow and learn in just a short time. And as they grow and learn, so do we. The hard thing about being a parent is knowing that you're going to make mistakes along the way. That's just the reality. You don't get to practice first; you're thrown riiight into the big game, an unqualified rookie. You can’t learn how to be a parent from a textbook or a class for new parents. You can't become an expert from observing other parents, or getting advice from your own parents. You just have to learn as you go--and be flexible, because each kid is unique and precious. As a parent, over the years you will learn invaluable life lessons. Sometimes, these lessons will be painful and confusing. Your struggles can have a silver lining though! You can take what you've learned, and use that knowledge to help out other families. Here are two common struggles where going through some hardship can give you the experience needed to help others going through a similar situation.

Snuggles in bed

Photo by Lana Jenae Photography from our trip to Whitefish

1. Allergies

No one really knows why some babies and children develop an allergy to some things, while others do not. It often seems bizarre and random, although genetics may play a factor. Peanuts are one of the main things that can cause allergic reactions, but there are all kinds of foods that sometimes cause babies discomfort. If you have dealt with these things before, you can share your experience with friends and family who have babies and young kids. Help them understand the signs of allergies to look for during mealtime, or go onto parenting blogs and forums to discuss what you've learned. You never know, you could end up savings a child’s life!

2. Emotions

Many children struggle with stress, depression, and a range of deeply felt emotions. If you have kids in their early teens, you've likely experienced this first-hand. You can use your knowledge to help parents in the real world and maybe even make a career out of it. It's possible to get your degree from home, such as online degree in social work. Courses are clinically focused to qualify you for social work and award you a license. You might find it fulfilling to help teens cope with social and cultural pressures, or help young children with high emotions figure out how to fit in better with society.

Being a parent gives life lessons, empathy, and experience--qualifications which you cannot learn in a classroom. This powerful knowledge can help you make a difference for others, and if you're passionate about what you've learned, it can even be a jumping off point for you to switch into a profession that helps other children.