Let’s be honest: parenting is no walk in the park. Sometimes, I feel like I’m just winging it, trying my best while constantly wondering if I’m doing everything wrong.
Comedian Louis Garcia, known for his candid humor, captures this sentiment perfectly. He once quipped, “Parenting can be tough because it’s often so monotonous. They’ll read you the same story over and over, and you’re stuck feeling both proud and utterly bored at the same time.” His perspective reminds me that we’re all human, not superheroes, and our kids will eventually catch on to our flaws. In those moments of exhaustion, when we’re at our wits’ end, they’ll still ask for one more story or need a glass of water just when we think we can finally have a moment to ourselves.
Instead of striving for perfection, I’m learning to embrace my humanity. My goal now is to model resilience and growth. When I make mistakes—which is often—I plan to forgive myself and keep moving forward. Children are incredibly adaptable, and every day presents a fresh opportunity to be the kind of parent I aspire to be. If things don’t go as planned today, I can always start anew tomorrow.
Not long ago, I took my son, Ethan, for an eye exam. The doctor, unfortunately, was less than understanding. He insisted on using drops, which is fine, but his approach lacked kindness. When Ethan, only 2 years old, resisted, the doctor barked at me to hold him still. In that moment, caught off guard, I complied, restraining Ethan while the doctor administered the drops. Despite Ethan quickly bouncing back to play with toys in the waiting room, I was left feeling awful. I had physically overpowered my child and felt I had let him down.
Later, a friend reminded me that parenting isn’t about being flawless; it’s about showing compassion and accepting our imperfections. When we returned home, I kneeled beside Ethan and apologized for what happened, assuring him I’d never do that again. It’s not about getting it right every time, but rather about owning my mistakes and teaching my child the value of accountability and self-forgiveness.
Children learn not just from our words but from our actions. By demonstrating forgiveness towards myself, I hope to instill that same quality in Ethan. It’s a lesson worth passing on.
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Summary
Parenting is a challenging journey filled with mistakes and learning opportunities. By embracing our imperfections and modeling forgiveness, we can teach our children valuable life lessons about accountability and resilience.