I AM A PERFECT MOM!

We grew up hearing the phrase, “Nobody’s perfect.”  I hear mom’s tell their children that all the time.  I, on the other hand, have always told my kids that they are “perfect, just the way [they] are.”  I make no bones about that.  I think they are perfect…even though they don’t always act perfect, or succeed the first time, or do something that’s far from the standard definition of perfect each and every time.  They are perfect.  I never want them to feel that they aren’t good enough or smart enough or pretty enough, blah, blah, blah.  When they start to feel that way is when they start to change who they are to fit into others definition, and not their own. 

                Yet, I never say that is to myself.  I rarely, if ever...actually never, feel that way.  On a daily basis, I feel that I am making mistakes or somehow screwing them up.  I feel less than perfect.  I’m constantly doubting myself as a mother.  Did I say that the wrong way?  Should I have not said that?  Should I do this, or do that?  Every parent doubts themselves and their abilities, right?  

                Recently, I encountered a someone so far from perfect…I wouldn’t even consider her a good mother…as a matter of fact, I would put her so far into the “bad mother” category I don’t know if she could ever find her way out of the hole she has created for herself.  That’s not to say or suggest that she doesn’t love her kids…I’m confident that she does.  Unfortunately, she’s someone who doesn’t realize that selfishness comes in different forms; the kind that doesn’t hurt anyone else and then the kind that does.  It hurts the ones that a mother is supposed to protect and nurture.   Her level of selfishness is clearly hurting her kids…irreversibly damaging them.  

I know, I know…I shouldn’t judge.  It’s hard not to when you witness the suffering and hurt that she is responsible for causing her children to experience; all because she can’t get her crap together.  The children are constantly seeking the attention that she refuses to give to them.  They are rarely ever spoken to, and when they are it’s in a raised and irritated voice, or she’s trying to find some way to occupy them just to get them out of her hair.  You can tell by the way she acts…she is constantly annoyed, by their presence alone.  I am sad for those kids, because they are good, sweet, smart kids.  That's not what this is actually about...it's not about them; this is about me...and how I view myself as a mom. 

 It wasn’t until I met her that I realized just how great of a mother I really am.  I shouldn't waste my time, or my children's time, worrying about whether or not I'm doing everything right...because I am!  I’m not trying to “toot my own horn”; I don’t mean it that way.  I just now see that I am doing everything I can possibly do to raise my children to feel loved and encouraged, protected and nurtured.  I have a passion for my children.  While I have my moments, I listen to them and talk with them, not to them.  While I have my moments, I play with them and watch them play.  While I have my moments, I encourage them into things that interest them and occasionally I join them.  While I have my moments, I show them the best way and watch them make their own way, often better and smarter.  While I have my moments, I teach them what I know and watch them learn on their own.  While I have my moments, I expose them to the things I can and answer their questions as best as I can.  I may not be perfect all of the time, but I am a perfect mom.  Why?  Because I do!  I do the best I can and try harder and harder every day.  I listen.  I watch.  I learn.  I do.  

 I AM A PERFECT MOM! I am achieving PERFECT, every day!