Upkeep and Maintenance

If someone gave you a brand new car, what would you do? Would you never take the car in for servicing? Not change the oil? Neglect minor repairs? Fail to keep gas in it? Not wash it regularly?

Or, would you keep it sparkling clean, waxed, and the gas tank full (well, as best you could during these economic times)? Would you service it as required in order to keep the warranty in effect? How about protecting it from dents and dings? New tires when necessary?

Think about the gift you have been blessed with when you have a baby. Consider how you care for that gift. Do you show your gratitude for it as you would a new car? Do you make appointments with a pediatrician and remember to get the baby there for each one?

Do you provide proper nourishment by giving the baby the formula the doctor has recommended? Get all immunizations as suggested? Keep her reasonably clean? Take her to see the doctor when she is sick? Are you careful to protect her from getting hurt?

You will never have a more precious gift than that wee one you have (or will soon welcome into your home). If it is important to take proper care to keep that car in tip-top shape, how much more important is it that you care properly for a young child? The car has no feelings, no soul, and no psyche. Your child does.

If you never speak to your car, it will probably still perform as it was meant to do even years from now. If you don’t speak to your baby, she will not learn to talk…certainly not as she should.

If you don’t name things for her, show her the world, care for her physical, medical, and emotional needs, like a neglected vehicle, she will have problems that will likely be small at first. But, like a car that doesn’t get regular oil changes, over time she will not function as she was intended.

It’s a rare parent who doesn’t love his or her own flesh and blood. But, real love shows itself in action. We are told that “children are a gift from God and happy is the man whose quiver is full of them.” I don’t advocate having more children than you feel you can properly care for. Just as I wouldn’t recommend having more cars than you can afford to maintain.

Proper care and maintenance of a child is far more important than that of a car. Be careful that your wee one doesn’t grow up feeling that you care more for your car (or some other material object) than you do for her. Happy parenting!