This evening I shall address a Mothers Day Banquet with a difference from what is usually anticipated at such events: every mother attending has already made the tough decision to allow, through adoption, another person to parent her baby. I am expecting a peaceful and somber gathering of women who rest at night knowing their children are safe in the loving, protective care of men and women who have longed for parenthood.
In the light of this, and in the light of the focus that will be on mothering this weekend (at least in Western and English speaking countries), here are 5 challenges for all who have the joy of parenting:
1. Do you articulate what you believe about parenting to some disinterested person who is able to assess how you are doing as a mom or dad?
2. Do you stop and think about your style of parenting, or are your caught in the treadmill of activity offering you little or no time to reflect?
3. Do you take time to acknowledge the successes of your own parents in forming a backdrop to your success as a parent?
4. Do you regularly affirm your spouse, or the role of other adults in helping you with the awesome responsibilities of parenting?
5. Do you affirm your children when they do well and correct your children when correction is appropriate?
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