In my last article I admitted to only some of my parenting mistakes, after my eldest daughter expressed doubt in 小蓝视频 a 鈥済ood鈥� mother. (By the way 鈥� thanks to those who sent my children condolences.)
When my children were still fairly young, 鈥淢other鈥檚 Day鈥� was approaching when I complained, to my own mom, of how disappointed I鈥檇 been on those days, in years past.
She gave me the following sage advice:
鈥淵ou need to tell them exactly what you expect. Children, and certainly men, cannot read your mind.鈥�
So, the very next time we sat down for supper, I told my family this 鈥�
鈥淐hildren,鈥� I began sweetly, glancing at my husband as well, 鈥淢other鈥檚 Day is soon upon us and I would like to make my expectations clear. As much as I appreciate your often last-minute crayon drawings and paper crafts, this year I will also be expecting other things鈥攊tems that I would actually like.鈥�
Our eldest daughter glanced immediately at the list I鈥檇 made. She then looked at her father and asked, 鈥淐an you take me shopping?鈥�
My mother was not wrong. I鈥檝e always enjoyed Mother鈥檚 Day ever since, and I do not care if the gifts given are out of obligation or not.
Not long after that, however, proof of my less-than-appealing parenting became painfully clear.
(Please understand, firstly, that where I was a less-than-perfect parent, my husband was, and is, as near to perfection as anyone can be. I believe that鈥檚 why God put us together. After all 鈥� everyone should have the most important person in their life be far, far better than themselves. Don鈥檛 you agree? I know it warms my heart.)
It was during another of our family dinners, when one of our children was telling us of a friend whose parents had recently divorced. This suddenly became of great concern to each of our three children and one of them inevitably asked, 鈥淲hat would happen to us if you and daddy got a divorce?鈥�
After I assured them that it wasn鈥檛 our plan, I stupidly added, 鈥淏ut if it were to happen, you鈥檇 have to each decide who you鈥檇 want to live with.鈥�
I鈥檓 小蓝视频 serious when I say, not even a split second passed before all three of those ingrates yelled, 鈥淚鈥檓 going with Dad!鈥�
Admittedly, that hurt a little but I could, objectively, see their point.
My, then young, daughter (the one who questions her own parenting skills now) saw my rather shocked expression and said, 鈥淒on鈥檛 worry Mommy. I鈥檒l come visit you.鈥�
True empathy in a tiny person鈥攔ight there鈥攁nd, from what I鈥檝e seen, I don鈥檛 think that kid should ever worry about her parenting.
I believe that mothers do the best they can鈥攆rom the drool to the after-high-school. Be encouraged! You have the toughest job out there and 鈥� if mine can survive me 鈥� yours will make it too! Have a blessed Mother鈥檚 Day! You deserve it!
听
