Cassandra Gardiner returns with this week’s offering. Guest opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Ed
As the sun shines, my daughter at school, I ponder, fondly, the tasks of bringing up a baby. Giving birth takes quite an effort and then sleepless nights, endless feeds and nappy changes. Grabbing a bite to eat (even leftovers time is so filled), coffee for a perk and 110% nurturing the new one, whilst she sleeps, breathes and grows.
Before me blossoms this young, beautiful and pure child, innocent, precious, adorable with eyes only for me. Clinging to my body, for warmth, protection and food, happy and so special.
As her dainty clothes turn too small and she sprouts in fits and spurts to the next size, I gaze, amazed at how clever and interesting she becomes; no longer content with lazing in a cot or being held, inquisitively exploring objects, textures and chew-ability.
When the sleeps grow longer and fewer, a sense of order returns, the little miss filling a routine wants more, more to do, different food, new toys and visits, out to the park, to friends, oh, and yes, what’s this another baby wow, interest multiplies.
From teeny treasure to teenager
Now these days are behind me, my teeny treasure a teenager, full of sulks and moans. However there are still moments of delight, when she for no reason smiles at me, happy eyes, still pure underneath, unique, yet a part of me.
As she bustles through life, not realizing there’s a long way to go yet and she’s still near the beginning, wanting this, needing that, off on her own, meeting friends – without me! Glimpses of what a beautiful woman she is becoming along with flashes of anger as her temper forms, ebbing and flowing like the tide – days perfectly calm, distant shores, golden sands and clearest blue, to stormy waves crashing down, often silent but unmistakable moods.
It is truly one of the delights of life being a parent, unexpected, quite unnerving initially, but as it grows, that is being a parent, children and you yourself, the surprises, the gifts and the pride are like nothing else. Seeing your own, indeed creating a tiny, perfectly formed, delicate newborn, noting hints, traits of yourself in their form and face is a profound pleasure.
To read more of Cassandra Gardiner‘s work, visit her blog.
