Media does a great job of portraying all of the pain and hardwork that goes into childbirth.  Sweat and tears are abundant and most people can empathize with the suffering that is taking place.

As bad as labor pains can be, there is a pain that far surpasses childbirth and it doesn’t get nearly the coverage (or the option of an epidural).  The pain is the excrutiating feelings that happen when your child is injured or in pain. 

Yesterday, my 2 year old son was bit on the face by my 10 year old cat.  The cat is usually pretty tolerant of the kids, but yesterday my son must have been too aggressive, so the cat did what he could to send a message to my son.  (I’m definitely not defending the cat, but I know that the cat doesn’t just attack unprovoked).

What causes this “parenting pain”?  Is it just that when children are born they are beautiful, blank canvases that we want to keep prestine?  Is it that we want to do everything we can to protect our children and take any pain on ourselves to eliminate their sadness?  I’ve heard people describe parenthood as having your heart living outside of your body… I think that’s true and yesterday my heart got beat up along with my son. 

In the end, after some time with a plastic surgeon and some stitches, my son is back to himself today, albeit with some new war wounds.  Just like labor pains, the feelings associated with seeing your child suffer, whether physically or emotionally, eventually subside.  When the moment has passed and the dust has settled, you have a greater appreciation for your family and want to give as much love to your family as humanly possible.   

Speaking of which… I’ve got to go hug my kids.  Bye!

PS.  Anybody in the market for a cat?