Occupational Parenting
by Gail Graves

I believe that one of the most important, rewarding, things that can be done to help the world we live in, is to bring new life into it and care for that life properly. There are many noble professions that labor to improve the lives of others. The medical profession works to save and improve the quality of life. Teachers dedicate many hours preparing young people to take their place in the world as productive citizens. Environmentalists work to protect our world and keep it livable. Massive amounts of new technology fill the markets with timesaving, convenience creating, life improving devices.  

Sometimes it seems that the career most overlooked is that of creating the life that so many seek to improve the quality of. Maybe because of the lack of monetary reward, or the length of time it takes to see the result of one's work. Not many people plant acorns; they may not be around to enjoy the mature oak tree. In our fast paced world of  have it now  mentalities, waiting for twenty five or thirty years to hear "Thanks, Dad and Mom. You are great parents." isn't perceived to be worth the wait.  

In parenting, paydays don't come at regular intervals, but they do come. Holding a sleeping infant in your arms, knowing that you helped give them life, contemplating their immense potential, watching them grow, developing their talents and decision making skills along the way, learning to sacrifice and serve others; are supreme paydays. When your offspring grow up and make the world a better place as they spread across the earth, you know it was all worth it.

I make many mistakes. I still have so much to learn about parenting. But I have a good solid background of example to draw from. My parents, grandparents, neighbors and my own children are all good examples to me with good advice to offer. We are not alone in the struggle to be good parents. Help is all around us. We don't have to be perfect. We don't have to give our children everything. But they do need our most valued commodity, our time. They need to know that they are more important to us than any of the myriad of other things demanding our time.

Sometimes parenting is viewed as a side job, rather than the chief occupation. Earning the money needed to provide for a family should be the means to an end. That end being: producing well adjusted, fully functioning, happy, productive citizens in the various communities wherever they go. Parenting isn't for everyone, but those who undertake this vital responsibility should take it seriously. If we devote ourselves to the fundamental responsibility of parenting, the rewards far outweigh the costs. There will still be problems in the world and challenges to overcome, but your influence will be felt for generations to come and the world will be a better place because you were in it.  

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