by Lisa Michelle

Created on: January 29, 2009   Last Updated: November 20, 2010

Why do I still feel like a new parent after having six children?(!) I guess it's something to do with the fact that I am raising six very different people. No two days are the same and neither are any two children, not even twins. There are days when I feel that I have exhausted every TV series on parenting, every article in every paper and every book on the shelf and yet come up empty handed still in a state of despair thinking 'what do I do this time'? I wonder if I just don't do it right like nanny 911 or is my child immune to all the suggested tactics.

On a daily basis I am presented with a whole variety of situations to deal with ranging from the publicly humiliating toddler tantrum which is always enhanced by the kindness of people who stand and stare or glare just to pile on a little more pressure, to the emotional dramatics of a 15 year old who just hasn't quite yet grabbed the concept of the word 'no' and feels that this word is a cue to create an enormous scene of self pity and anger.

By dinner time I can end up feeling a mixture of emotions usually starting with believing I have been given the worlds most difficult children but somehow ending up in a state of I'm the worlds worst parent (ever) and that I haven't got a clue and eventually end up feeling sorry for these poor kids who have been lumbered with me as a parent. Then, I take a breath; I try and step outside of the situation for a moment. Just about long enough to come to my senses and realize that I don't have six robots, I have six people here, six very unique human beings who are all just little lives, beautiful little souls who are just finding their way too.

In the middle of the circumstances I can feel absolutely clueless convinced I'm doing a terrible job. But if I'm doing such a bad job how come I get so many people walk up to me in restaurants when we are all dining, asking me how I do it and complimenting my children on there amazingly good behaviour and wonderful manner? Why is it that I have had my neighbours call me to tell me how impressed they were with my children today who had just popped into their home to ask if they can help out with anything or run some errands?

I must be doing something right! I'm not sure what but something is definitely right. I often have people come to me and ask 'how do you do it'. They think I'm joking when I smile and say I haven't got a clue. All I know is that I love my children, I follow MY instincts with every single situation, even when it

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