On Perfection

Your comments on this post were so lovely.  And I love that post so much I'm moving it over to my favorite posts page.  (New to jodifur?  Great way to get acquainted.)

But I have to say, the idea that my family is perfect?  Oh guys, we are so, so not.  My friend Jennie often blogs about she hates reading "shiny, happy" blogs where everyone's lives are sunny and wonderful.  And I would hope that jodifur is not that.

I can honestly say that there are problems I don't blog about.  Not because I am hiding problems from my readers, but because I CAN'T.  I can not blog about my job.  I choose not to blog about extended family issues because that would get me no where but in trouble quickly.  I don't often blog about fights with my husband unless there is some kind of humor value in them.  One, they are private, and two, how uncomfortable is that? 

I was very open about Michael's behavior problems at school.  And some may say even a little too open.  But Michael is now FIVE.  And some day he may find this blog.  And he is entitled to some modicum of privacy, however small it may be.  So every little thing he does wrong, doesn't go up on this blog.

But please, please know this.  My life is not perfect.  My family is not perfect.  This is not a "shiny, happy" everything is wonderful all the time blog.  

Thursday I had one of those horrible parenting days.  Michael was in time out more times that I could count.  I yelled, too much.  By the time he went to bed there was wine and I was ready to tear my hair out.  And I tweeted, "you know why I am only having one.  BECAUSE I SUCK AT THIS."

Yesterday Michael had a play date with a friend from school and we ended up hanging out with the parents upstairs while the boys played in the basement.  And the mom told me that she had noticed that Michael often sticks up for a child when he is being picked on by other kids.  And my heart soared.  Because if my kid can do that?  Stick up for a kid who is being picked up by other kids?  Then we are doing something right.  Then he is all the perfect I need.

   

Comments

[Headless Mom]

That is a true measure of success, Mama. Good for him!

[Dawn]

It's so nice to hear when others recognize your kid as empathetic. That is awesome and you guys are CLEARLY doing something right! And I have wondered at what point you start pulling back on the sharing. I guess it's a wait and see thing.

Oh, and I hear you on the wine!

[Cathy]

Oh, we are ALL far from perfect. I am pretty sure most Moms would say they ask themselves how they "did" as a parent on an almost daily basis. I know I do. But you are right....when we hear that one little story about something totally amazing that they have done, we realize that our children are pretty darn awesome...sometimes in spite of us. LOL