The never-ending multiple roles of a parent

As our children grow up our relationships with them change.  From a nurturer and carer, to so much more.  If you watch nature documentaries you see how the animal world look after their young, and so often can relate to it. I suppose that’s why sometimes, the softer amongst us may get a little teary when watching and seeing that the young are in danger. There’s less risk for us humans than there are for wildlife, but that inbuilt want and need to protect our children continues through life.

There are many roles for parents, no wonder we have to be multiskilled and can bring so much benefit to the workplace if we work alongside bringing up children.

The roles of a parent

Carer – ensure children are well looked after

Nurturer – help bring out the skills, personality, empathy and values that their child has

Protector – like in the animal world, human parents want to keep their children from harm

Nurse – we just know when there’s something not right with our children, and want to nurse them back to health

Developer – help them grow as a person  and develop new skills

Teacher – who else is going to teach them how to know right from wrong, and learnt how to eat, look after themselves, do chores and support through school

Coach – be there as a bouncing board, help them get the skills and understanding to learn for themselves

Guide – through childhood, through friendships and through family issues

Adviser – to support them making the right decisions

Listener – to be there to listen and hear any problems

Stakeholder manager – facilitates, delegates and works with other adults like teachers or sports coaches

Encyclopaedia – certainly when younger, be there to answer questions and spark their interest

Chef / Nutritionist – to attempt to guide them towards a healthier well balanced way of life

Calendar – because no child knows what’s going on in their life when

Promoter – to schools, to friends, to anyone who may have a positive influence on your child’s life

Entertainer – for whenever ‘I’m bored’ comes into play or they’re ill

Party planner – enough said

Confidant – to keep secrets and concerns when they just need someone to talk to

Friend – because sometimes our children need us to be their friend as well as a parent

Ultimately, we’re just Mum or Dad. And we hope that bond and relationship continues through life as they grow up and spread their wings of independence out of our shadows.

What do you feel your role is in being a parent?

Why not take a look at these similar posts.