Parenting, Most Important Role in Life!

    What does it mean to become a parent? Is it merely a job that you fulfill during a certain period of time? Was the choice to become a parent intention or an accident? Is it only a responsibility of one parent to care for and raise children? What are you supposed to teach a child as a parent? There are many different views of parenting that are common in our society today! Becoming a parent is becoming less and less a priority in today's culture. Having children is often either an accident or is put off for years to make sure you have your education, a good job, and have enjoyed your life before adding in a baby into your life. Parenting has almost become an afterthought that we only engage in when it is convenient for us and suits our life plan. This view of parenting that is common in our day in age is starkly different from what Elder L.Tom Perry said on this topic. He said, “The influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world.” Parenting is not a passive role that we can take lightly! It is a role that in Elder Perry’s words is, “the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world.” If parenting is one of the most important roles we can play in the world today then why is it so common to delay having children or see parenting as a drudgery? 
    I think there are many factors that have played a huge role in how society sees parenting today but one of the biggest is how focused we have become on ourselves. As a community, it is common to see things from a lens of how does this benefits me and my happiness? If things don’t benefit us and our life interests then we are much less likely to engage in it. This individualistic culture has really made an impact on how people see becoming a parent and raising a family. Raising children is not a piece of cake! They take a lot of time to care for and teach, they are expensive, and often non of that money will be returned to us when the child leaves the home and they require the parents to stretch themselves probably beyond anything they have done before. So why is parenting the most important and influential work one can do in life? President Hinckley said, “Of all the joys of life, none other equals that of happy parenthood. Of all the responsibilities with which we struggle, none other is so serious. To rear children in an atmosphere of love, security, and faith is the most rewarding of all challenges. The good result from such efforts becomes life’s most satisfying compensation.” Parenting is probably the most difficult and challenging thing we can engage in our lifetime but just had President Hinckley stated it can bring the most joy into our lives and help us to dro exponentially. Parenting helps us turn outward and see and meet the needs of others before our own. These sacrifices can be very hard but through them, we can become better people and make a world of difference in our children’s lives! 
    I am so grateful for my parents that made raising my siblings and me a priority in their lives! They were not perfect but I always knew they loved me and wanted the best for me. I learned so much from them growing up and know that I wouldn’t be the same person I am today without their loving care! My hope is that as a society we can change the way we see parenting and make it more of a priority in our lives!