REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, By: Asma Nadia

Adam wanted to run a marathon. Yes, our son is interested in participate Jakarta Marathon 2013, which was the first time held in Jakarta and will probably continue to be held every year. Of course we, the parents, have to support, because these activities are positive and suitable for our son who love the sport.

But, there is one problem. If he took a part in the marathon, it means there should be any of us to accompany him to ensure everything is ok, especially considering its distance and this is his first experience. The problem is as parents, we cannot be with him, even though with riding a bike. The only way to escort Adam is to join him in the marathon. As a person who is not young anymore, thinking about it was exhausting. 

Then the choice is his father will accompany him. Accompanying 13 years teenager on the run is clearly a challenge. Beside age problem, his father's weight is another problem that needs to be concerned. 

The day is coming. Adam and his father arrived at the national monument (Monas) in preparation for the marathon. Promptly at 5 o'clock dawn, Adam ran with her father leaving the starting line, away from the Monas towards HI Roundabout and circling in Sudirman statue.

Initially until the first kilo, the father was able to follow Adam. But on the second kilometer, Adam has raced far ahead, and kept away until out of sight, and his father started out of breath.

Fortunately, the father participated in marathon just to keep him safe, he could cut in HI line and waiting for Adam circling Sudirman statue. Not long after that, the child appears, the father returned to the line and accompanied Adam to the finish line.

And, the truth is not that simple.

Towards the finish line, the exhausted father was barely able to move again. But he did not want to miss the moment when Adam got a finisher medal at the finish line, so he forced himself to keep run and eventually could reach the finish with Adam.

Adam seemed happy to get the medal. Father took a picture and did not get a finisher medal since he was not a participant. In fact, according to the father, he was tired of running while carrying a handy cam, bakery supplies, and also two mobile phones, as well as using the office pants for forgetting to bring his sport pants.

It was from this marathon experience, we realized the concept of parenting. Being a parent means escorting the child to make the long journey.

On his early age, we maintain his safety and security. Accompanying him, when he learns to walk, we catch him when he fell. We put soft object under the mattress, so that if he fell, he did not hit the ground. Accompanying him in kindergarten, waiting outside the school until the learning activities is over.

It was the first kilometer of parenting marathon. He should not be out of our sight.

Furthermore, in the second kilometer, we learn step by step to let him go by himself. Because, it's impossible for us to continue to accompany our children anywhere.

On his elementary school, for example, the parents are no longer on escort, but only dropping and picking up. On his junior high or high school, its time is come to give him confidence and responsibility. The further the kid journey the easier to let him learn by himself.

Because once again, parents cannot always guard the children, as most of us -especially on their twilight- have no more power to run for escorting our teens.

Given that, the parents must be able to organize strategy in order to assist the son through the long road of parenting. Every now and then we may cut off the road to be able to supervise more closely. No need to go to school every day, but sometimes it is necessary to evaluate outcomes of their occasional test.

In parenting we do not need a medal.

Any parent would be happy if their kids reaching for something in their life.

For us, seeing them perform well was a godsend. Parenting is a long road, and it's the duty of the parents to assist and encourage the children to be able to pass their marathon lives respectively.

Ed: M Irwan Ariefyanto

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