Parenting Success
When it comes to parenting, chances are you either feel like you are acing it or failing miserably. Sometimes there is an in-between area in which we are satisfied with just getting by, but those moments are rare. Unfortunately, most moms (myself included) feel like they are failing more often than succeeding.
So let me just remind you that you aren’t failing as a parent, but that you are actually raising little humans that will be successful and amazing people!
Strangers tell you your children are so well behaved.
Don’t laugh, mama. You’ve probably been there.
In the middle of the store and your toddler is asking every question known to man while standing up in the cart (usually while it’s moving) just trying to secure your medal for terrible mother of the year by falling out of said cart and creating a scene you just might die of embarrassment from.
The baby’s face is bright red and crocodile tears are flowing because you forgot her favorite pacifier and how dare you give her this ridiculous imitation just so you can buy her overpriced formula in peace?!
You finally get to checkout and an eerie calm takes over your children. Ha… As if that would happen. The baby stops crying, at least, and your toddler starts chatting up the cashier. Then it happens.
“You’re children are so well-behaved! They’re so cute, too.”
You try to wipe that deer in the headlights look off of your face long enough to mutter a thank you accompanied by an awkward smile.
The cashier wasn’t just being friendly, she really meant it. And in that moment, it was pretty much true. The kids were behaving and you were able to get through the entire cart of groceries without threatening half a dozen time-outs or begging the baby to stop crying. That, mama, is success!
Your children are kind to other people’s children.
Typing this, it sounds funny, but I have a feeling that most of you can relate if you have more than one child. When it comes to sharing or even co-existing peacefully, often your children just can’t seem to do it. It’s more fun to fight over the TWO identical red cars instead of each playing with one and you can’t get through one entire day without a fight breaking out.
But when it comes to other children, suddenly your child looks like a well-behaved angel. Even if it’s not all the time, those moments are still there. Example? We went to a Christmas parade this past weekend and my 4 year old, who is EATALLTHECANDY with his siblings, was actually picking up candy that was being thrown to him and putting it in other children’s bags! Of course, we went home and he argued that he should have candy for dinner and stay up extra late, but I will take my wins when I can get them – and you should too!
They can perform basic (but very important) daily tasks.
Don’t underestimate how awesome simple daily tasks are. Things like feeding themselves, using the potty, and helping with chores around the house may seem like little things, but they each are a mom-win in their own right. Your children didn’t know how to do these things at birth. They had to be taught, and more than likely you were their teacher. That took patience, understanding, and the ability to adapt and learn how to respond to your child so they are actually learning and not throwing a massive fit.
So as you sit reading this, stealing your rare moments of quiet or maybe even waiting out a tantrum, you may feel like you are failing. It seems like there is always something more to be done. Are you teaching them everything they need to know? Are they really happy? Is your parenting ruining them??
The doubts will be endless, but you have all the answers you need in those little faces looking back at you.
Remember the mom-wins, big and small, and enjoy your kids!