by Janice Day Sirman

Created on: June 12, 2008

RECIPE FOR THE LIFE OF A PARENT:(To be used in most any situation)

To use this recipe, one must be open new ideas, wisdom from others and have the ability to make changes in a moment's notice.

For parents of a young child:

Take one cup of patience and combine it with the ability to go without sleep for at least twenty four hours. Remind yourself over and over again that you desperately wanted this mass of screaming wet child,and this too shall pass. Be sure your hospitilizaton is paid up to date in case you need a quiet room to rest in. Make extra and save it for your next child's appearance. Can be kept indefinitely. Mix patience with a list of on-the-spot baby sitters. Combine a heavy dose of grand parent support.

For parents of a toddler:

Take one day of hiding everything breakable, and at least one half day of finding things that you hid that you have now dsiovered you really need to live. Update your "diaper insurance" prior to your child starting potty training. Do not let this lapse too soon, as this will take as least twice as long as you thought.Mix bithday parties wiht friends and family who are willing to consider training pants and easy tchang outfits appropriate birthday gifts.

For parents of a "tweeny"

Mix a healthy balance of time at home and time with friends (A dose of this for your child is good too). A cup a day of copability is helpful during this time of your life. For both girls and boys, remember to administer daily anti-hormone therapy. A large amount of mixing with other parents who can share your pain will brighten up you time in this passage.

For parents of a teenager:

Mix a cup of really listening with the demands of your teens, add two heaping spoonfuls of common sense. Combine with the patience of Mother Theresa and pray daily. This will not solve any of your problems,but will make the situation fairly livable.

For parents of an adult child:

When they come to you for advice (and they will):

Mix a heaping amount of holding your tongue, along wih a daof staying out of it. Yes, they are your baby and as such no one should ever say a word against them, but every word you say hs been secretly recorded and will be gven back to you by their signifigant other at the time you least expect it or want to hear it.

Finally, remmeber that mixing humor,prayer, love and patience will always reap a recipe for love and understanding.

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