Playtime. Tickling us until we couldn’t breathe. Pushing us on the swings. Pretending to be a train so we could ride on his back around the house. Wrestling with us and letting us win. Racing us across the backyard. Teaching us badminton, tennis, and golf. My daddy. After he came home from a long day (smelling like chocolate—yum!—one of the benefits of being an engineer for Godiva and R.M. Palmer), he would still make time for us. Every child needs a parent who will be silly and forget the world of grown-ups even if only for a few minutes each day. Our moments with dad held us over as we got older and his job got more intense, requiring long hours and weekends when we no longer had time with him at all.As the years go by, I cherish my childhood memories, especially as I think of what’s important to my own children. My dad worked hard and taught us to do the same. Having struggled through his own childhood and working three jobs to put himself through college while learning English at the same time, he showed us that every challenge is an opportunity to grow and achieve our dreams. Despite the la
ck of time he had for us as we got older and the endless arguments and stress we caused him when we were teens, we knew that he loved us because he laid the foundation for a solid relationship with each of us when we were little. It doesn’t matter how old I get, I know I’ll always be daddy’s little girl. He still wants what’s best for me and he’s not afraid to give me his honest opinion every chance he gets. And for that, I’m extremely grateful. Being a parent isn’t about being a buddy; it’s about making difficult choices and guiding your children especially when you see their decisions are leading them down a path that might not be best for them. To my daddy: Boldog Apák Napját kivánok, Apu! Thank you for being the best. (Szeretlek most és mindig!!!!) To all dads, grandpas, uncles, and men who play a positive role in the lives of children—Happy Father’s Day! Always remember, if you touch the life of a child even if just for a moment, you have made a significant impact.
For nine months I waited, planned, and expanded. It was a time of change and excitement. As my body tried to get used to the strange feelings of a living being growing inside of me, with every passing day a new-found awe and appreciation for life grew little by little until the most miraculous of my days arrived. Before long, my bright blue eyed little
“monster” was squirming in my arms and nuzzling into my embrace. I fell in love harder and faster than ever before. I thought I could never love anyone as much as my husband, but my pint-sized mini-me proved me wrong (as he has done so many times since then). For the first time in my life I truly understood what it meant to love unconditionally and felt that I would willingly and without hesitation jump in front of a bullet to save my child. Almost as instantly as I was overcome with so much love, fear reared its ugly head. For as much as I wanted to love and protect this tiny little baby, I knew that eventually I’d have to let him go and experience the world—a world which is often as cruel as it is wondrous. Nearly ten years have passed since then, and not one day goes by in which I don’t worry about my children. As a newbie mommy, this was one emotion I didn’t realize was cemented into the foundation of parenthood. I know now that for the rest of my existence I will agonize over my children’s decisions, applaud their triumphs, and weep over their each and every heartbreak. Motherhood has shown me what it means to love, to live, and to grow as an individual. Each day I’m more amazed by my little balls of energy, who have shown me how to laugh when life is stressful and to embrace every precious moment of every day. Life is truly the most blessed of gifts. Wishing every mom, aunt, teacher, and friend who has shaped the life of a child a very Happy Mother’s Day! Image: Me and my Mini-Me on the day I became a Mommy in 2001
Unless you’re living under a rock, you’ve heard about Abby Sunderland, the 16-year-old California teen who tried to sail around the world alone. Circumnavigating during the southern hemisphere’s winter season, she expected to hit massive storms and 30-foot plus tall waves.
Since she began her quest to be one of the youngest kids to sail solo around to the globe, she’d been plagued by technological difficulties—the latest of which broke her boat’s mast and knocked out satellite communications last Thursday. Thankfully, a French fishing boat rescued her after rescuers from Perth, Australia were able to locate her from a plane.
Her parents say she’s been sailing since she was a little kid and they never once questioned her desire to go it alone. In fact, they encouraged her adventure.
As a parent, one of the most difficult challenges we face every day, starting the day our babies are born, is letting our kids go to experience life. The biggest obstacle is determining when to cut the proverbial umbilical cord.
"In this day and age we get overprotective with our children. If you want to look at statistics, look at how many teenagers die in cars every year. Should we let teenagers drive cars? I think it'd be silly if we didn't," said Laurence Sunderland, Abby’s father.
Excuse me, Mr. Sunderland, but I beg to differ with your sentiment. Traffic accidents happen in civilization where our children have a fighting chance of getting emergency medical treatment that could very well save their lives. Sending our children alone into the wilderness, hours and days away from safety and help, is condoning a suicide mission.
The fact that Abby survived is a miracle. Had she perished at sea, I wonder if her parents would still take this cavalier attitude? Would they picture their daughter gasping for breath as a 30 foot wave swallows her? Would they imagine she drowned while being trapped under her overturned boat? Would they regret their decision to let her go every day for the rest of their lives?
I don’t care how experienced, courageous, or adventurous Abby is as a sailor. At 16, she is too young to vote, drink, and (in some states) even drive. She is a child. Until she turns 18, she is her parents’ responsibility and her parents—like all parents—should do everything in their power to protect her and keep her safe from herself, others, and, as in this case, Mother Nature.
ck of time he had for us as we got older and the endless arguments and stress we caused him when we were teens, we knew that he loved us because he laid the foundation for a solid relationship with each of us when we were little. 
