Take the time

If you are a parent, then you’ve been there: barely awake, sleeping in shifts, bottles, diapers, and the list goes on. However, as your children grow and change, it is absolutely crucial to take both the good and the bad with a positive attitude. Smile at 4:00 am when your infant wakes up, rock them to sleep, read them stories, and do it all with love on your face and compassion in your heart. Regardless of your parental status, it is vital to take the time to shower your child, niece, nephew, siblings or adopted grandchildren with love.

The baby stage is perhaps the hardest, but remember these words, “This too shall pass.” Looking back you will never believe how fast time has flown by. How is it possible to look back after 18 years and realize that your precious child is now an adult?

When you get home from a tough day at work, hug them. When you feel like you can’t take one more second of colic, do it one more minute. When they ask you how to ride a bike, teach them. And constantly celebrate each phase of life.

Being a parent — but more importantly an example — is the greatest gift we can give to the ones we love. Cherish the small moments, because they are the ones that will ceaslessly warm your heart.