"The Guardrails"

When our children were younger, we took them to Canobie Lake Park, an amusement park in New Hampshire.  There was a ride there that my husband always refers to when he talks to our children about life.  The ride was Old Fashioned Cars, that drove around on a closed course.  As a child you thought you were driving the cars all by yourself, but as a parent you notice that the cars are actually guided along by a metal "guardrail" underneath the cars.

My husband always refers to that ride and its "guardrails" when he refers to parenting.  When our children are babies/toddlers, we use our own non-metal "guardrails" to keep them from falling down when they are learning to walk, climbing stairs, trying new foods, and many other baby/toddler milestones.  It is our job to be their "guardrails", and to do whatever needs to be done, to keep them safe.

As our children grow into their teen years, being their "guardrails" becomes a more difficult task.  We talk to our children about the difference between right and wrong, making smart choices, knowing their limits, respecting their bodies, and basically we try to instill morals and values in them.  We tell them that they are responsible for their actions and choices, but if their choices veer away from those "guardrails" they will probably be grounded.  It our way of trying to continue to steer our children in the right direction, and teaching them to be responsible for their actions and choices.

As our children grow beyond their teen years, and into their adult years, that role of being their "guardrails" begins to diminish...As their parents we have laid down the course, taken on the role of their non-metal "guardrail" and given them the foundation of love, support, and guidance, that will take them on their own amusement park ride.  No longer the Old Fashioned Car ride, but the ride of Life, and where that journey will take them....only their own internal "guardrails" will know.  

To my five children ages 27 - 17 , enjoy the ride, and whatever roads it may lead you on!