Mr. Rogers and Louis C.K. Showed Me How to Embrace My Parenting Mistakes

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You know what? I think it’s time to be honest with my kids and everyone else about the fact that parenting can be really tough. A lot of the time, I’m just winging it.

Louis Szekely, better known as Louis C.K., has a funny but true perspective: “Having kids is tough because it can be so boring… They read you the same story at a glacial pace, and you have to pretend to be fascinated while fighting off sleep.” Louis definitely doesn’t hold back.

Let’s face it: we’re not perfect beings. Our kids will see through our facade eventually. Just when we think we can catch a break, they’ll ask for one more story. And if it’s been weeks since you’ve had a moment alone with your partner, you can bet they’ll wake up asking for a drink of water. Plus, they’ll point out our contradictions in no time flat.

So, I’m opting out of the quest for perfection. Instead, I want to show my kids what it means to be human. I’ll learn from my blunders and apologize when I mess up. My plan is simple: forgive myself and keep moving forward. Kids are ever-changing, and today I can start being the parent I aspire to be. And if today doesn’t go as planned, I can forgive myself and try again tomorrow.

For instance, I recently took my son Max for an eye exam. The doctor was not the most patient person. He wanted to administer eye drops, which I get. But it was clear he wasn’t familiar with any modern parenting techniques. Seriously, this guy seemed more like he should have been in charge of a naval fleet than working with kids.

Max, at just two years old, understandably didn’t want to sit still for the drops. The doctor, frustrated, asked me to hold him down. Caught off guard, I did it. Max was in tears, and I felt awful for physically overpowering him. As he calmed down and played with toys in the waiting area, I couldn’t shake the guilt. I knew there had to be a gentler way to handle that situation.

When we got home, I sat down with Max and apologized, promising never to do that again. I realized that it’s not about modeling perfection; it’s about showing compassion, taking responsibility, and forgiving ourselves. Kids learn from what we say, but they learn even more from what we do. If I can show Max how to forgive himself, that’s a lesson that will stick with him.

If you’re intrigued by this parenting journey and want more insights, check out our other blog posts here. You might also find valuable information at Make a Mom for boosting fertility. And if you want to dive deeper into parenting and conception, this Wikipedia page is an excellent resource.

In summary, parenting is a challenging ride that doesn’t come with a manual. It’s all about embracing our imperfections and teaching our children the importance of self-forgiveness.