Parenting: The Seven Phases That Every Parent Goes Through

Article Written By: Dr.NoelSwanson

Stage 1: Me, have kids? Really?

Your biological alarm goes off. Every baby is unbelievably cute. Am I ready for kids? They are pretty darn cute. Why not? Plus, making babies is quite fun!

Phase 2: Heavy with Child

You check your calendar to see that your period is late. Oh my. This really could be happening. Your heart beats faster at the thought of having a baby on the way. Your bladder pushes you to go to the bathroom as you feel a kick in your stomach.

Skip ahead a few months. The kicks, elbows, backaches, and swollen ankles become common place. You gasp as you spot varicose veins. Who could have done this to your body?

Baby arrives with loud fan fare. You swear at your husband and swear you can't take the pain of giving birth ever again. You spot her cute grin and your heart melts.

Phase 3: Creating a andquot;firstandquot; for every occasion.

You have lost your precious sleep time. Your nipples are beyond sore and you are going delirious from dieting. However, your precious bundle of joy can harm no one. She is perfect with a perfect smile. She just found her little toes. She tastes them. Maybe she is hungry you laugh.

A long list of first time events unfolds. She sits, crawls, stands, and walks to you all on her own. She can eat solid food and go to the potty. You are filled with immense pride. That is, until she has a tantrum, but the tantrum is only temporary.

The television takes place of fun, stories and games.

Your baby heads off to school. You are thrilled, but will miss her at the same time.

Stage 4: Her social world expands.

She is growing up. She goes to school with other children. She wears a uniform and it seems like she is almost old enough to vote.

The bathroom humor surfaces. Who knew relieving one's self could be so funny.

The first best friend wonderfully appears while the first brush with rejection sadly appears. She has bumps and scrapes from play. She doesn't understand why things are not always fair.

You want them to be independent, but it is hard. Why can't you have the ability to protect them from the world?

Phase 5 - Reading, 'Riting and 'Rithmatic

Play times fall by the wayside when they have to learn the alphabet and addition. It may be easier for your child or it may feel like the teacher is speaking Chinese. If your child succeeds easily you have a fairly smooth ride ahead of you. If your child has trouble then you will have many potholes on the road called andquot;schoolandquot;. Even so, there are always the little events to remember - All she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth (along with Barbie and a puppy dog!)

Remember they are not babies. They need to follow rules and do their chores.

Phase 6 - Pre-teens and Puberty

Girls will be girls and boys will be boys - and never the two shall mix. Well, why would they? The girls are all into pink and giggle too much - and the boys are just too cool for such silliness.

Clothes. You are just SO out of date mom! No one wears that anymore! And why should it matter if my pants are hanging down by my knees? Mom, these clothes are too small! Your daughter says popular words that you don't understand. Their voices go up and down. Your daughter is embarassed and proud to shop for her first bra.

Phase 7: They hit the social scene.

Boys and girls view each other differently now. They wonder if anyone wants to go out with them. Suddenly too, your precious child, whom you taught everything, knows more than you. In fact, you apparently, know nothing, and they knows everything!

Parents are not cool while friends are the top of their social list. Your daughter wants to stay out late with friends. Can't you just be a cool mom and let her stay out until 3am? But, every now and then, you can have an amazing conversation with your new young adult - as long as you aren't trying to lecture them.

Your daughter has become an adult with goals, aspirations, and endless energy.

Phase 8 (well, who said I could count?)

So they've left home - but they are still your little darlings. Your worries and hopes for them continue. andquot;I'll love you, forever. I'll like you, for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll beandquot; - Robert Munsch. Time flies. Take a moment to enjoy the specialness of each and every day with your children.

About the Author

Dr. Noel Swanson specializes in helping parents with child behavior problems. To read more of his expert parenting advice visit his website and check out his hugely popular GOOD CHILD Guide manual, packed full of extremely helpful parenting advice.

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