To parent is a verb, something we do to or with our child. There’s no single verb that I know of that describes what our child does to us.
And yet, they raise us too, for a very simple reason–we love them and they love us.
This reciprocal relationship shapes everyone involved, not just our child.
As soon as our child is conceived, our partnership begins to shift, our identity alters, our plans change and our bodies morph one way or another, whether we’re a father or a mother.
The birth of our child is also the beginning of a creative, daily interaction that is full of surprises, challenges, adaptations and creativity.
As our child develops, changes, grows, we have to find new ways to remain present, engaged and handle all that’s new to us. This asks of us to be flexible, willing to learn, capable of healing, increasingly aware and able to yield.
We’re all in this together, giving and receiving, growing and letting go.