Parenting Bliss

Yusuf's sister's family of 4 were over for 9 days from HK. She has 2 sons: 2 1/2 year-old and 8 month-old.

It then suddenly hit me. This was my closest encounter to "parenting" ever! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE kids and get along with them. But parenting is another thing...

Kids are on their OWN time. What parents must learn is how to teach and discipline them to be more accommodating to YOUR schedule. Even that doesn't always work. It's like a tug of war, to see which party lasts longer.

Kids also have an unbelievably natural talent in negotiations. Parents must be firm, yet positive, in their reasoning, in order for the kid to understand. Simply saying "No" is not a good answer for children.

Koala-kid. The term says it all. Some kids are so attached to their moms that they almost look like a koala bear hanging on a tree. How do we pry them off?

Finally one day, my older "future" nephew comes to me, gives me a big hug & kiss, calls out my name and smiles...then I realized what parenting was...