Hi there - I thought we'd try this discussion page to see if it generates more debate than our bulletin board, through which the tumbleweeds blow at the moment.

So here's your starter for 10: name your biggest joys and challenges as a parent.

For me, the joys are: seeing them grow and learn, and discover the world, take first steps in all sorts of areas, learn through success and failure, and become the people God made them to be
The challenges are: being the kind of father I'd like to be, finding the right balance of love and firmness in discipline, not being too dismayed in seeing your own failings reproduced in your children
There's plenty more of both, but they'll do for a start.
Let's hear from you!

Here are some of my thoughts: I find watching them grow in self confidence and achieve goals they didn't think they could achieve amazing. Simple pleasures of running down a hill,watching thunderstorms,gazing at waterfalls or feeding ducks on a pond. Lastly that feeling when a small arm gives me a hug and holds my hand when walking.

Challenges are letting them learn by failure, watch them be rejected by others, staying consistent with my parenting, and using discipline in a constructive way, not as form of power. Lastly showing them my faith and helping them decide what they believe in, rather than just teaching what I want them to believe in.

For me, the joys and challenges are a bit different, as my son has Asperger syndrome, which is a form of autism. He can speak very well but has huge problems with social understanding, so some of my biggest joys have been when he has done little things that most parents take for granted - like when he first gave me a spontaneous hug. He was five before this happened but it was well worth the wait! Another joy is seeing him learning to read, and also developing a big interest in history. I teach him at home, so I am sharing this interest with him for the first time as I hated history at school! One more joy (there are so many!) is hearing him sing. He goes to a singing club and has developed enough confidence to sing in front of the group. I nearly burst with pride when he first did this!

I certainly echo the challenges already posted on this topic, such as being consistent, using discipline fairly, using time wisely etc. Having a child with aspergers also presents unique challenges, like dealing with major temper tantrums in a 7 year old (I can't just put him under my arm and remove him from the situation any more!) Another big challenge is that when my son hurts himself or is upset, he doesn't want to be cuddled and comforted like most children would. I have found this really hard to deal with, because as a parent you just want to 'make it all better'. My son also needs supervising much more than other children his age, so this can be hard work.

As with many things in life though, the joys more than make up for the challenges!