"Parent" vs "Mother"

In all the congratulations we have been getting lately, the word "parent" keeps coming up. To tell you the truth it kinda of caught me off gaurd because I haven't thought of this as be coming a parent- I've only thought of this as be coming a mother.

I know that makes no sense- but it does in my head.... It's taken me a few days to figure out why.

Having a child automatically makes you a parent, but it takes much more to be a mother or father.

"Parent" to me is just a role.

"Mother" and "Father" means responsibility. It's the choice to be a disciplinarian, care giver, and nurturer. It comes with feedings at 3am, finding a good day care, tough love, time-outs, instilling strong Christian values, and waiting up to make sure they are home at curfew among numerous responsibility.

You hear terms like "Mother's instinct"- not a "Parent's instinct"

Don't get me wrong- the word "parent" doesn't have a bad connotation in my head- it's just not how I have thought of myself up to this point.

I pray Chase and I will not only be parents to our child, but a Mom and Dad to our baby.