Editor will begin course in ‘Parenting 101’

By Alexis Austin

austina@mytjnow.com

I’ve learned about the Civil War, the art of ancient Greece and Rome and even how to build a successful advertising campaign, all thanks to Winthrop. 

 In my three years here, I must say that I’ve learned so much I’m not sure if I’ll be able to use it all. However, of all the courses I’ve taken at Winthrop, there is not one on my transcript that will say “Parenting 101.” It’s not found in the course catalog and there is no student organization or service offered to teach me how to be a mom.

 In 11 weeks, I will begin a life-long course in parenting. Changing diapers, bottles, bathing; these are the “baby basics” I know very little about. (Although I have a younger brother, I was only four when he was born and that was just way too early for me to even comprehend “baby basics.”) So, now I have a lot to learn in a short amount time.

  I’ve read books, countless articles and blogs on the best things for a baby. Yet none of these sources tell me how I’ll know when my baby is sick when she can’t tell me how she’s feeling, or, when she does start talking, how I’ll know when she’s lying.

 I anticipate that this parenting course will be harder than any class I’ve taken. There is no professor to grade me on my progress or to correct the mistakes I make. There are no notes or books to borrow from someone who has taken the course previously. I can’t retake the course for a better grade if I fail. It will not be until my child is an adult that I really know how well I did.

 As an adult, I now look back on my childhood and how my mother raised me. I must admit I didn’t turn out so bad. I am independent, hard working and smart. I’ve asked my mom for the secret to being a good mother. She told me women are born with a motherly instinct that kicks in when they have children. Hopefully, mine will kick in within the coming weeks.

Parenting was not a course I intended to take, but things happen. It’s not Winthrop’s or my mother’s job to teach me how to be a parent. With God on my side and what I’ve learned so far in life, I think I have a pretty good chance at passing this life-long course. This is a journey that I must take one day a time. Life will be my professor and I pray that I am here to see how well my daughter turns out. Nervousness has never been more present than now, but I must say that the excitement of bringing a new life into the world prevails.