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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

A perfect parent


Why is it that "we" (moms, dads, guardians) in general judge ourselves as parents on how are kids are behaving? Why is it that if your child has a meltdown in public onlookers judge and we are humiliated and feel like we have failed? This does not always mean that the child is out of control. Who are we to judge and think that? Maybe it is just that child's nap time or they are feeling sick or maybe they were away from their usual surroundings and are just out of sorts.

I am the first to admit I am guilty of all of the above. If my child talks back in public or throws a fit I am so embarrassed. We usually keep their attitudes at bay whether we are at home or in public, but once in a while they do act up and I am instantly mortified. This does not make me a bad mother especially if I correct them right then and there; so why is it that I contemplate never returning to that business in fear of being recognized as "that mom?" I also see kids throwing fits and screaming and think to myself one of two things; 1) Can't they get that kid under control? 2) I pity the parent because I have been there more times than I would have liked to be.

My point is this, my kids throw fits, they talk back, I don't have 100% patience 100% of the time, but it doesn't mean that I have failed as a mom. It simply means that myself, nor my kids are perfect and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I am proposing this challenge to all of my readers: pray for any caretaker you know that they get through one more day no matter how tough or easy that day is. Pray for the caretaker whose child is having a melt down in the middle of the store instead of scowling and judging.
I know I am an excellent mother because they are fed, they have a roof over their head and they have clothes on their backs and shoes on their feet. Also, they are loved unconditionally and they know it. That is what makes a good parent/caretaker!

9 comments:

Amy Plumb said...

Great post Courtney, so true.

and I plan to post my tag very soon, but getting home at 8:00p.m. is killing me. At work I try to sneak in some blog time but no books here.
Amy

Vhiel said...

Hello there

Blog hopping here. check out my contest for mothers day .. i am giving away a kitchen ceramics set consist of salt & pepper shaker and oil/vinegar.

Hope you can join in..

Thanks
Vhiel
Can of Thoughts
Designs By Vhiel

Kellan said...

WOW, I couldn't have said this better myself - well said!!! I love that picture of the girls too - very cute and they look so much alike in that picture.

Have a good evening - Kellan

Unknown said...

LOVE your post!! I remember one time we were in the Disney store and Bug was about 2 and threw the biggest hissy fit. I picked her up and plunked her in the stroller, buckled her up and raced out of there not saying very nice things. I was convinced they would have my photo with a circle around it and a line through it never again allowed in the store. LOL ;-) It did not happen of course, but I totally GET what your post is about!

KC said...

Hi Courtney.. just popping in to say hello.. I'm so far behind just had no time for my daily reads the past few days.. I will be back soon to get caught up

Mandy said...

My baby is only 4 1/2 months old but I still get what you are saying...if he is particularly fussy in a store, I feel so terrible for all the people around me...but really, we shouldn't because as a Mom, you know exactly what the Mom w/ the fussy kid is going through!

Ris said...

I know exactly what you mean! I am nervous about getting my son out right now because he's of the age to start having more tantrums. And my daughter has colic and I want to avoid the "why can't you get your baby to stop crying" faces. Thanks for posting this!

Jess T said...

SO TRUE! Marc and I just left a restaurant in the middle of dinner last night b/c Miss Sydney decided to throw a fit. Sigh. I wanted to cover my head with Nathan's blanket and leave. :)

Texasholly said...

I couldn't agree more. I always think that "perfect" is so expected and boring, so achieving it wouldn't make a very good blog or kid!