I think it is important to step back every once in a while and give yourself some credit as a parent.

Maybe I am just speaking for myself, but I know I get wrapped up in all of the times I think that I have failed as a parent. I think for whatever reason it is somehow easier to focus on these moments. Maybe it is easier because we live in a society/culture that tends to highlight and talk about bad things rather than the good.

Well, I think it is time that we start focusing on the things that we are doing right. Maybe even right isn’t the word. We should focus on the moments of pure joy that we catch in the eyes of our children. I even managed to capture my youngest son’s face as he was overjoyed by his birthday cake at his party a few months ago. He was just so happy, and it really melted my heart.

Our kids don’t see a script that we managed to mess up. They just see us. They don’t care if they have the perfect cake, the perfect outfit, the perfect anything.

They love just being with us. They love it when we are silly and fun.

My hope as a parent is that my kids remember that mommy wasn’t perfect but she did things anyway. Mommy wasn’t afraid to learn or go out of her comfort zone. Mommy encouraged and taught by her actions.

So I think shifting our thinking is key. If we want our kids to focus on their strengths and not get down on themselves when they make mistakes, we need to do the same when we make our own mistakes.