As a parent of 3 grown children, and a grandmother or Nana of 4 young ones, I have never had more joy, fear, worry, laughter, anguish, and heartache in my life then when I started having kids. There are so many different beautiful and ugly things about having kids it is more of an oxymoron than ironic. As children ourselves it never crosses our minds what we put our parents through. I mean why would it? We are too busy playing with our friends, discovering new and weird things everyday or just plain too hungry or tired to care. As a child all we truly understand is that we are cold, hot, hungry, tired, scared, happy, too full, alone or hurt. As a child we look to the one source that can solve every problem we have, our mom or dad. Until we have a child of our own, regardless of age, understanding the requirements and mandatory duties involved in solving all those issues that are so important, do these issues start to become another thing altogether. I never worried about where I would sleep, having clean cloths, food in my stomach or an education. I did not have too because I had my mom for all of that. I used to always wonder why she was so tired and cranky. Was it something I said, I did or did not do? Did someone else upset my mommy? Why was she so tired all the time? These were what I worried about. Not what needed ti be worried about for sure. My mother raised me and my brother as a single parent for half of our lives. She worked 2 jobs most if the time. Lived with other to help cut the cost of raising 2 kids on her own. I worshipped my mom and the ground she walked on. So it was only natural that the first time I found out I was pregnant that I would turn to her. That was the beginning of the end of my life and only living for myself. Even as I went through my pregnancy I did not grasp the concept of being 100% responsible for another living and breathing human being. All I knew then was that I would love this child, and the child would love me, like no other person in the world. I actually believed that my love for this little being would be enough. I mean my mom did it so how hard could it really be right? Well I most certainly found out after 9 months of difficult pregnancy, and I thought that was rough. Of course after the first one how difficult could two be? I mean by now I have the diapers figured out, the naps, and the first stages of a baby. I got this! Oh Boy was I ever wrong!! It never in my life accord to me that this was just the beginning of my trials and tribulations. I suppose I just never bothered to envision far enough into the future to see all the scares I would have because my oldest thought he was invincible as the car came speeding down the street right at him. Or how about the fear I had when my second child's father took him away? Or even the terror I would feel as my youngest child was lifted 30 feet into the air, strapped in a cloth binding that I prayed wasn't damaged, and then released to soar through the air as if on a gigantic swing. I actually thought I was having a heart attack that day. Again still not the worst of it, still just the beginning because they were so young still. As they grew well so did the problems and the mandatory support they needed. Many people would think that when I say mandatory support I am referring to money. As much as that is needed and basically required to raise a child it is not what I reference regarding support. No as they grew the mandatory support needed is more on an emotional and a mental requirement. None of us are born automatically knowing how to cope with life and all of it's complexities. So we look to the bigger people that give us food and shelter to teach us. Now that my children are full grown, and two having had children of their own, I get to see those sacrifices panned out. I realize that not every story is the same for everyone. I do believe though that regardless of your own personal story as parents in one way or another we make a sacraffice when we chose to bring a child into the world, and this story just happens to be mine.

Right around the ripe old age of 13, my son concluded that I wasn’t very bright. It took me a while to notice this because he never actually said it. Something was telling in the tone of his long drawn out sighs and the tenor of his voice when he said, “Muuuuuuuum!”

When I was 34, I found out the chances of me having children was very low. It broke my heart into a million pieces.

If you read one book a night to your child, when they are 5 they will have read 1825 books.

It’s official. Reading out to your children right from a young age since the time they’re toddlers goes a really long way. There is now sufficient research to prove the invaluable importance that the habit of reading holds for young minds. And this comes at an absolutely ripe time when children are actually getting distracted from books and attracted to moving visuals in the form of videos, television, games, and other digital gadgets.

‘There’s a silver tint on the cloud of doubt when it comes to parenting.’ I wonder if every mom randomly cries because they’re fearful of doing parenting wrong. Do all mums and dads get nervous of their child getting badly influenced. It seems a little early for me to have these thoughts, especially as my child isn’t even a teenager. I do believe that influence can happen at any age but for different circumstances.

Parenting can often be described as one of the greatest joys in life, and the ability to help support and grow life is often a wonderful experience. The beauty of life can leave many awestruck, however, becoming a new parent can also be a daunting experience and leave many worried. Don’t fret, many people before you have successfully transitioned to parenthood, and with these 6 tips, it may lessen some of the anxiety and stress you feel.

I know all moms are with me, when I say that I've had my fair share of bad days where I wish I could just run away, and can't. I have two tiny humans that rely on me for everything every single day, that most of the time I forget to take care of myself. Being a stay at home mom isn't for everyone, and I'm not ashamed to admit it when I say it's definitely not for me. I became a stay at home mom when I found out I was pregnant with my second son. I thought it was going to be great being home with both of my children and not having to put them in daycare. It was great at first, now here I am three years later and I try to work whenever I can, just to get some adult interaction. Every mom deserves a break. Work isn't it.

When your kids are in their childhood that is the prime time for learning and many developmental milestones. This is the time when they will learn the most and set the foundation that will help them to structure their future learning habits for the rest of their lives.

A successful business man I once knew shared with me an experience he had as a student. He explained that whilst he was studying he needed to be able to have money in his pocket, however, it's was hard to come across a student who isn't hard up for cash (not much seems to have changed these days). Anyway. He went on to tell me about his cheque guarantee card and how it worked. This cheque guarantee card would allow him to go into any shop, write a cheque out to 'Cash' and he would be given cash in return for his cheque. As his cheque guarantee card was guaranteed and honoured up to the value of £50, he would continue to do this multiple time. Safe to say he ended up withdrawing way more than he had actually paid into his account.

As children, quite a few of us suffered in childhood. When we grow up we usually suppress our inner child along with the pain. So we spend years carrying around past trauma, letting it take root inside of us and even though the trauma is buried deep in our psyche there are times when the pain bubbles to the surface and we act out because of it. And those who go on to become parents cause their own children to suffer unintentionally. They repeat similar things that hurt them as children. That’s why healing your inner child and dealing with past traumas can make you the best parent you can be. But whether you’re a parent or not, it’s important to acknowledge the child within and all the pain you’re carrying around. Face it and heal it.