Accepting a Job Without Experience
What would you think about accepting a job without having the experience for it? Would you feel confident to take it on? Would you consider walking away because you feel inadequate? Would you walk away knowing that you would cause an innocent that you would love to suffer? Every person who enters parenthood accepts a job without experience. We may start the job with a guideline of what raising a child entails, but the job can’t be tailored until we get to know the child. Even when we think we know what we’re doing or what direction to guide towards, we must stop to be conscious of what is needed of us.
I grew up enjoying the connection I had with children, and I was interested in child development but no matter what experience or knowledge I picked up, it didn’t provide experience for when I had my daughter. It was challenging work wanting the best for my child without controlling to get my way. It was difficult admitting that she is her own person and that my advice and experience may not be what she needs. I found myself in a lot of situations where I was parenting her as what I thought parenting should be before realizing that I wasn’t working with her at that moment. Our mind works with what we experience, and we use that knowledge as best as we can, but it also brings out what we don’t yet know, and we must be conscious of our actions in the moment.
It's a frustration to hope for the best and have no control. It’s also a blessing to trust the process and witness the development. Our child is one seed among the many others that need to be nourished with love and patience, be offered our trust and confidence, and is deserving of their own space and experience to blossom. Each child is a job taken on without having experience and we can later attest to the wealth of experience they offer that continues even when they are a child no longer. Our joyful memories will remain with us, and we can continually appreciate the bond our job provided. Parenting is the one job where learning is a requirement and experience is gathered as we blossom with our child.
Are you a parent who has been learning while you are teaching? Have you had time to appreciate the lessons your child inspires to add experience to your life? Please don’t ever forget personal efforts and the treasures that are added to your life!
