3/26/14

Sometimes when you are a parent, yoou feel the weight of the world on your shoulders.  You feel like you have to be perfect. You feel like every mistake you make will leave a permanent scar on this beautful child that God has blessed you with. You are sure that everyone is judging everything you do and that every bad behavior or tantrum thrown is a reflection of your failure. 

News Flash:  YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!!  Every parent who has walked on this planet has been there. We have all had those moments where we "snap". God is beyond wise in providing two parents. This is not your life partner, your spouse is your tag team partner. Your spouse is supposed to be there to give you a break and save your little darling (s) from being grounded for life. And just in case your spouse is not available God gave you parents and friends to lean on for advice or a hug.

Give yourself a break when it comes to your expectations of yourself. I wish someone had told me that.  In spite of my many mistakes, my kids always knew that I loved them, still do and always will.  My moments of meltdowns are now the topic of many dinner conversations and always provoke laughter. ( don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities coming up for me to share these shining moments with you ). Parenting is the hardest job you will ever do!  You are not alone! 

My best advice to you today is to develop your mom-sense.  It is the common sense of being a parent that has been bashed for years by the "experts".  I wonder how many of them have really succeeded at this job and how many are full of hot air.  I will match my parenting against Dr. Spock's ( and I don't mean the pointy eared guy from Star Trek) any day of the week.