#confessionsofaparentingexpert
So I had a flash of inspiration after I saw a client today. Now this beautiful lady who is a wonderful mother, doubts that she’s a wonderful mother ALL. THE. TIME. I care for her deeply but sometimes I want to smack (figuratively) some sense into her so that she realises SHE’S AMAZING.
Anyway, one of the things she has often said to me is how reassuring it is when I’ve mentioned one of my own non-fine parenting moments. Trust me. There are many. Yes I bring a lot of knowledge and resources to this parenting gig. But I am human and I will acknowledge (and my kids and husband sure as hell will concur) that I stuff up.
There are the moments when I just fail to remember everything – we all know those. This morning I had forgotten my youngest needed to be at breakfast club. No biggie but I did run around the house like a chook with its head cut off ranting about how we were going to be late. I do need to go back and admit to the kids…. I was late. They had their shit together COMPLETELY and did not deserve my mindless rant.
I know. A first world parenting fail. But nonetheless an important one to admit to, TO THEM. Yes, if I own up to this, they will learn (a) mum can be wrong (I hate this but it’s important they know this) (b) mum has feelings too and can sometimes not manage them well and (c) it’s important to take responsibility for your own stuff ups and NOT project them onto others…..otherwise, they’ll just continue to point their fingers at each other and say “he/she did it” when they stuff up.
So I WILL acknowledge that I made the mistake, that I was feeling very stressed, that I’m sorry I was a raving lunatic and that I was so impressed that they were completely sorted and say thanks for that too..
BTW…we made it to breakfast club 2 minutes late. That means I showered, blow dried my hair, got dressed, grabbed my work stuff and was out the door in 20 MINUTES!
