"It is totally unreasonable to expect to be a perfect or even a competent parent at every phase of your child's life. You may be a great parent with your babies, and fall apart when they hit adolescence. Or great with teenagers but distant and "absent" with toddlers. Each stage of a child's de velopment requires different parenting skills. It's silly to believe that you'll excel through every stage with every child. Some people do, but not everyone." I agree, back 3 years ago, when Gabrielle (my son) sent back home to Philippines, (why? oh baby sitter too expensive dear! and lot of reasons too, period of adjustment living in the States) is something that i have missed in life.. especially from his ages 2 - 5 years... I can't return those days & years that has gone.. yet, now i am hoping that the years to come will be atleast perfect... (Please dont blame me anymore those 3 years has gone, and i will do my best this time, make atleast a PERFECT One" There actually was a time i asked myself, would i be a perfect parent? and suddenly i realized I didnt even know what the questions were.
If our children get into trouble expecting perfection, so do we.
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Are you expecting yourself to be a perfect parent, grandparent, or whatever your relationship is with your children?
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Are you expecting yourself to have all the answers? (Nobody else does, you know)
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Are you expecting yourself to teach your child every single thing?
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Are you expecting your child to accept your teaching and change instantly, and for you all to live happily ever after? (Does the term fairy tale come to mind?)
It's okay if you've tried to teach them something and it didn't go over well. You never know what your children might pick up just by you understanding or doing something in a new or different way.
You never know, maybe - just maybe - one day you'll say to yourself, "I dont have to wait for the perfect time or the right conditions or situation till my kids are in a perfect mood or whatever, I'm in the mood to talk about everything right now"
WHAT YOU DECIDE TO SAY DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT. So relax and trust yourself!