What Makes A Parent?

When I looked up the word parent, the first definition stated one that begets or brings forth offspring. The second is a person who brings up and cares for another. I believe that the second definition is the most fitting. There is much more to being a parent than just producing offspring.

At an early age in life, my biological father decided to leave my brother, sister and I. Looking back I feel as though he did us all a favor! My mother was fortunate enough to meet a man not too long after. He accepted the fact that she had 3 children without a father and took on that responsibility. It was not until I was older that I understood he was my step dad, but as far as I was concerned, he was my dad. He raised my siblings and I, as well as did everything for us that a father would do. To this day, 18 years later, he is my only dad and I am very thankful for him.

When I was 18, I found out I was pregnant. I had a daughter, who I named Isabella; she is almost 2 years old. Her biological father left when she was just 4 months old, and I became a single parent. While it was hard at first, I adjusted and realized that one day I would meet someone who would take care of her, as my dad had done for me.

A man from my past, Ian, came back into my life. He is a single dad to his two sons; Jayden, age 2 and Michael, age 4. We have the boys half of the week and most weekends. When we have them, I take care of them as if they are my own. While I am not their biological parent, I still love and care for them as much as I do my own daughter. Over time, Ian has become the dad that Bella did not have and he treats her as if she were his own. He is an amazing father and I am extremely lucky that he has taken on that role, as my dad did for me. I could never ask for a better man or father to be there for Bella and I.

I never imagined that I would have the responsibility of taking care of two children that are not mine. I have learned that it doesn’t matter if they are mine or not, that is what it means to be a parent. I have a new respect for my dad that I did not have until I became a parent. While I have only been a mom for 2 years, I believe that I am on the right path to becoming the best parent I can be.

Two 2 year olds and a 4 year old is a lot of work! But a true parent is someone who is responsible for the love, care, and support of a child. Regardless of natural birth, adoption, or even children who come into our lives through relationships.

For more information and tips visit: http://www.parents.com/

emilygraniss@empirecollege.com