Wisdom with Age, or Age With Wisdom?

Often people say with age comes wisdom, is that true? Or do we actually mature older through life as we acquire wisdom. I know plenty of grown adults who are technically older than a child but lack the maturity to guide children on this journey.

A song lyric today caught my attention; Jake Owen: Made for You. ..."two pink lines are made for growing up, and I was made for you."

How quickly life changes when young adults, already adjusting to doing life, find out they will be parents; the whole universe shifts perspective. Qualities such as being absorbed in only your world, having hobbies, sleeping in, eating at weird times, watching non-animated tv, or maybe just taking a shower are paused. While you teach tiny humans to do life in an acceptable way. You learn to juggle all that life throws at you and not transfer any of your adult stress or worries to those precious minds.

There is no handbook or trade-secret magazine; parenting is a selfless act of growing both in wisdom and maturity. Sometimes you will have family, extended or immediate, to support you. You will have bystanders who know nothing about your situation be your biggest critics or potentially become your strongest tribe!

But it's still not about the people supporting you, that define the journey. What is most important is that you have your core values and identity and are capable of remaining consistent. The most successful parents are simply consistent.

Before you decide to become a parent make sure you really know yourself, your values and can identify the parts of your plan where you will remain consistent.

How can you best show up for these miniature versions of yourself? They are watching and mimicking every piece of life we expose them to. Most importantly our core values and personality is what will resonate through them the loudest.

What happens behind the scenes, whether or not you leave on time, if the house is spotless, does the car have gas, are the bills paid, did you water the plants or cut grass; none of that matters to them, keep life full and enjoyable. Foster their creativity, find what makes their eyes glimmer, let them get messy, be late, dress in mis-matched clothes, eat breakfast outside and just explore their curiosity for life: find the balance in you to enjoy life from their level too. In time their responsibilities will grow, it doesn't need to be a race to the most responsible 8 year old. Just slow down.

I promise you will thrive, and the tasks and worries will become background noise. Do not let these precious years fly by, embrace their childhood. They only get one. Don't let your biggest regret be that childhood was too boring.