A Change in Perspective
I had always been a firm believer that no one under the age of 30 should become a parent. Honestly, all of the young parents I knew were just flat out lousy parents. I guess they hadn't lived their own lives enough yet, and they just didn't put their kids first.
But we've made friends with a couple here in SC who have forced me to change my perspective. I first observed them without their kids around, and found them to be an incredibly loving couple. The husband had a way of comforting his wife that just looked beautiful to me.
Later I also met their kids. They are the most precious kids you could ever imagine. They are beautiful, happy, sweet, and oh-so-cuddly! It is obvious that those children are very loved. Both the mom and dad are so wonderful with them. It is a joy to be around all of them!
For some reason, I always guessed that our new friends were older. And by older, I mean late 20's, maybe even 30. Not from the way they look, but because of their maturity and responsibility. Last night I found out that the mom is 24.
Our friends prove that it is possible to be great parents at a younger age. And as I think about it, what a generalization I had made in my mind! After all, I've known people who became first-time parents in their 40's who, in my opinion, were too self-serving to be good parents.
So it's really not about the age. It's about maturity and readiness to take on the responsibility of children. As I have seen, our friends were certainly ready at 24. And there are others I have seen in their 40's who need to grow up a bit more before having kids.
Isn't it neat when 38 year old me, and 43 year old Greg can look up to a couple in their early 20's! We are really lucky to have met them, and look forward to our kids growing up together.
(And as a side note to my friend, I hope that you don't mind me posting this. You all really are special people!)
But we've made friends with a couple here in SC who have forced me to change my perspective. I first observed them without their kids around, and found them to be an incredibly loving couple. The husband had a way of comforting his wife that just looked beautiful to me.
Later I also met their kids. They are the most precious kids you could ever imagine. They are beautiful, happy, sweet, and oh-so-cuddly! It is obvious that those children are very loved. Both the mom and dad are so wonderful with them. It is a joy to be around all of them!
For some reason, I always guessed that our new friends were older. And by older, I mean late 20's, maybe even 30. Not from the way they look, but because of their maturity and responsibility. Last night I found out that the mom is 24.
Our friends prove that it is possible to be great parents at a younger age. And as I think about it, what a generalization I had made in my mind! After all, I've known people who became first-time parents in their 40's who, in my opinion, were too self-serving to be good parents.
So it's really not about the age. It's about maturity and readiness to take on the responsibility of children. As I have seen, our friends were certainly ready at 24. And there are others I have seen in their 40's who need to grow up a bit more before having kids.
Isn't it neat when 38 year old me, and 43 year old Greg can look up to a couple in their early 20's! We are really lucky to have met them, and look forward to our kids growing up together.
(And as a side note to my friend, I hope that you don't mind me posting this. You all really are special people!)
posted by Susan | 2:03 PM
1 Comments:
I agree that its really a case of maturity and love and respect for the kids that makes people great parents. It can happen from a young age through to an old age. There are so many different people out there, and some get it right and some get it wrong!
Post a Comment
<< Home