A Best Friend

Words & Photography
by Joanna Ballentine



Every so often, I get this overwhelming thought that motivates me as a parent so much...want to know what it is? I have an opportunity to raise a best friend.

Every so often, I get this overwhelming thought that motivates me as a parent so much...want to know what it is? I have an opportunity to raise a best friend.

This thought ignites me to see my children as actual people- not like children who don’t know anything, or have problems processing emotions, or are loud distractions during church, or them being “just a season to get through”, or even like herding cattle...but actual magical wonderful creatures that can teach us so much.

I want to put value in them through the way we parent them, because when they’re older they can absolutely be those magical wonderful creatures that will teach us so much...our very own best friends.