Parenting...

Mahalo Dad for the nice photo. It is hard to describe the overwhelming and deep seated joy one feels when you help bring a new life and soul into this crazy and unpredictable world. Knowing that Ke Akua has blessed you with the safeguarding of His precious little life, the entire health and well-being of this little spirit becomes your instant responsibility. Some of your parenting techniques come from books and videos. Some come from the popular media. Some come from the advice of others in and out of your family. Some come from distant foggy memories of when you were a child and how you were treated. Or even how you wanted to be treated. Some come with the limitations on you as a person trying to survive in this stressful world with your own shortcomings as a human being. Now in the role of a parent. As much joy as you experience when you succeed as an ideal parent. You feel as much pain and guilt when you realize you may have acted less than ideal...