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Friday, September 4, 2009

Hypothetically Speaking

What exactly is considered a bad parent? I mean, really. Is it a fine line or a really thick line? At the end of the day, if everyone is alive, unharmed and fed, it's been a successful day in my book.

So, let's just say (hypothetically speaking of course) that within the last 24 hours, I have done the following:
  • A certain 6 yr. old woke up at 5:30 AM! By the time she was ready to hop on the bus, she was already lagging. I gave her a glass (kid size, if you must know) of Coke so she wouldn't be tired at school.
  • I told a particular 12 yr. old that her shirt was ugly, worn out and I was sick of her wearing it over and over and over. And that, for the love of my sanity, she has GOT to stop letting her hair hang down over her eyes.
  • A middle child of mine wanted to buy a book from the school book order. I told her I wouldn't pay for it. She had to buy it herself. This is my learning disabled child. I should be doing everything within my power to encourage her to read. And yet, I made her hand over the money.
  • I openly admitted to another adult that I would rather be with the twins then my own kids. They're not old enough to talk back to me and I don't have to put any effort into disciplining them. It's like a parent vacation.
  • My sister asked me if I'm just a teeny, tiny bit excited to see my kids when they get off the bus at the end of the day. I had to pause for a second until I could respond, "only every other day".
Can you love and adore your kids and be a bad parent at the same time? Because I love 'em. Oodles. But sometimes as I review my parenting skills in my head, I have to wonder. Maybe my standards are too high. I make dessert every night. That's definitely a mark of a good parent. Hypothetically speaking of course.

5 comments :

Becky Leland said...

you have adorable girls and a well behaved husband - you are doing good!

Tracie said...

I love how honest and real you are. We all stink at parenting in one way another...the REAL special ones are the ones that can admit their failures wholeheartedly, and still want to be a parent anyways.

Christy said...

You are so funny! No one is a perfect parent... we have to give our kids things to make fun of us about when they grow up.

penny said...

I would be your child in a heartbeat, and I have just a few daughters who would come live with you and let you be there Mom without any coercion. In fact, I have to force them to stay with me and not come running to you.
Don't Ever Change.

Quelly said...

I hope this doesn't hurt your fealers but when friends of mine say they are the worst parents ever I send them the link to your blog for therapy.
Just so you know, your blog doesn't make them feel like there is a parent out there worse then they are - it makes them want to come and live with you just to make sure you are not making any of this stuff up - and so they can have dessert with every meal.