4 Ways To Handle The Sacred Moments Of Parenting
Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.
Charles R. Swindoll
I remember watching my Dad shave in our upstairs bathroom. He gently rubbed shaving cream under his chin, above his lip, and around his cheeks. Then he carefully ran the blade of his disposable razor across his face removing the shaving cream and the stubble on his face. I learned a lot in these moments of observation. The method I use to shave my own face today is a reflection of the lessons I learned while watching my Dad shave his face.
When my own facial hair began to emerge, my Dad took time to show me how to shave. I don’t remember the particulars, but I remember it being a milestone in my development. At first, I only needed to shave every couple of weeks. Then I had to shave once a week. And eventually, I had to shave on a daily basis.
Sunday night, I experienced another shaving milestone in my life. My son, Isaac, turned fifteen in May, and he is turning into a man before my eyes. I noticed the past few weeks that he has had hair above and below his lip. Blond hair has also been extending from his sideburns down his cheeks. It was time for Isaac to shave for this first time.
At ten o’clock in the evening, I called Isaac into my bathroom where I grabbed a razor out of the linen closet. We stood in front of the mirror where I gave brief instructions on how to shave. Isaac applied shaving cream, and he took his first few razor strokes down the side of his face. He rinsed the razor removing the shaving cream, and he proceeded to take a few more strokes under his lip. Before I knew it, Isaac and I stood in front of the mirror. We didn’t share many words, but I think we realized the magnitude of this moment. It was a sacred moment.
As parents, we have the honor, privilege, and responsibility of ushering our children through the milestones of life. Whether it’s taking their first steps, boarding the school bus for the first time, driving a car for the first time, or shaving for the first time, we must learn to embrace these sacred moments of parenting. They are holy moments, and they come and go quickly.
4 Ways To Handle The Sacred Moments Of Parenting
- Keep your eyes open. Sacred moments of parenting are easily missed if we aren’t awake. As we parent our children, we must learn to be present, so we don’t miss out.
- Record these moments. Take pictures. Write notes in a journal. Make a video recording. Store up these memories in your mind. By recording these moments, you will provide a place for future reflection and reminiscing. You will provide a record for your children and their children. We learn through our parents, and our children will learn through us.
- Celebrate. Don’t be afraid to have ceremonies to commemorate the sacred parenting moments. Take time to acknowledge the milestones and transitions your children are experiencing as they move from youth to adulthood.
- Share. Your parenting experiences – good and bad – can be used to teach others. Your parenting stories could provide the inspiration to other parents who need help navigating the challenges of parenting.
Tell me about a sacred moment in your own parenting journey. Or tell me about a sacred moment you experienced at the hands of your parents. Leave your response in the comments.