Yeah, whatever mom. Like you know!

If you go anywhere, odds are you will see people in the role of parenting.  If not the actual role of parenting at that moment, you will see the results of parenting.  Just look at the next person who walks by.  You can see for yourself what I mean by seeing the way they walk, talk, or even laugh.  But what on earth am I getting at?  Believe it or not, parents rub off on their children.  There.  I have said it.

No matter how much I deny it, I often find myself saying or doing things that my own mother would do.  I freeze.  Right there, right then.  How could this be happening?  I am my own person!

Everyone knows how the years of being a teen go.  Mom, you don't know.  I know mom.  Mom, you are embarrassing me.  But guess what.  If the teenagers weren't whining about something, then the parents are doing their job wrong.

I think back to the years of pulling weeds and picking beans from the garden.  Oh, how I LOATHED those beans!  "Why are we doing this?  What is the point? I don't even like green beans!"  Those are some typical words which would come out of my mouth while being forced against my will to pick endless amounts of beans.

Looking back at it now, I can see the reasoning behind it.  A good parent places their child in positions and provides opportunities for their child to grow.  Whether that be cognitively, physically, growth in common sense, or work ethics.  That little Mary in the garden was miserable, but do you know what?  Today I am grateful I was forced (against my will might I add) to pick those stupid beans.  It taught me the value of work.  Something that is being dwindled as time goes on.

One thing I loved about my dad is that he would be out there in the garden with us picking and pulling plants.  It takes a good example to motivate and teach children to grow.  So, even though I absolutely hated my parents at times (or so I thought), they taught me things that I could not learn in any other way.

So yes, as a teen I knew it all and my parents didn't.  But today... I am very appreciative of their patience toward me.

~Mary