At first, I was a bit caught up in the few activities that I had overlooked, missed or gotten wrong, but then I realized that if I had been playing in the major leagues, I would be commanding quite a salary for my batting score. So, I decided to look at these misses as learning opportunities for my children and for myself.
As my sister noted to me earlier this week, “No one leads a perfect life, and even little Robert should know this too shall pass with no harm done.” The love for one’s children is so intense that it is easy to become consumed with making their lives perfect, and perfectly happy. While initially this might seem to be our job as parents, we need to remember that we do not live in a perfect world, and part of our jobs is to prepare our children for life in the real world. Teaching them to enjoy life as it comes, and to be able to create opportunities out of mishaps and to continually look on the bright side.
They learn the most from watching others, so be kind to yourself, understand that perfection does not happen, and that others are watching how you react to failure, and will then incorporate those reactions into their lives.
Possibly, if my children can learn to love me when I am not perfect, they will understand that I will love them when they are not perfect. And, that while perfection might be a good goal, it can never be reached. Life goes on – so enjoy the near-perfect moments.
P.S. Happy Mother’s day Mom.