Since becoming a parent, my life has taken some surprising turns. I’ve adopted new perspectives and habits that I never thought I would embrace. My goal has always been to set a positive example for my children. I’ve tapped into my self-assurance, showing them that I’m proud of who I am, I care for my body, and I’m committed to my pursuits. I strive to illustrate the importance of hard work, passion, and resilience, teaching them that nothing surpasses the value of love and family.
However, it dawned on me today that amidst all these lessons, I’ve overlooked one crucial aspect: the reality of imperfection. Don’t get me wrong; I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. I have insecurities, and I often feel more like a contestant for “Most Improved” rather than “Most Likely to Succeed.” Yet, to my 5-year-old daughter and my 1 ½-year-old son, I’m a superhero who can do anything. They recognize that mom has her strengths and dad has his, but they genuinely believe we can conquer the world. Upon reflecting, I wondered if I might be doing them a disservice by fostering this image.
Just last week, our beloved nanny, who had been part of our family for four years, came to visit one last time. After she left, I noticed my daughter biting her lip, her eyes welling up. In that moment, I crawled into the backseat of our van to comfort her. I could feel the tears welling up in my own eyes. “I know, sweetie. We miss her too.” As I held her, I realized: she had never seen me cry before. Me, the softie who tears up at every heartfelt moment on TV! My daughter looked at me, eyes wide with confusion, as if checking to make sure everything was still okay. I smiled through my tears and reassured her, “It’s perfectly fine to cry. Even Mommy cries sometimes.”
This moment struck a chord; in my quest to be a role model, I had neglected to show them the realities of life—failure and imperfection included. So, I’ve decided to adopt a new approach to parenting: to share the messy, real-life moments with my kids. I want them to see the challenges I face, both big and small, and to understand that tears are a part of life.
If I don’t show them that I make mistakes, how can I teach them about resilience? If I don’t admit that I have to tackle tasks I don’t enjoy, I can’t demonstrate responsibility and passion. By sharing my struggles, I hope to illustrate that love and family remain constant, even in the face of imperfection.
In short, I owe my kids an apology. I’m learning right alongside them, and it’s okay to say, “Oops! Let’s try that again tomorrow.”
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Summary
: This article discusses the importance of showing children the reality of imperfection and failure in parenting. The author reflects on their own experiences and resolves to share more about the challenges they face, promoting resilience and the value of love and family.