I'm not a perfect parent

Time to talk about parenting for a minute. I've noticed the last few months an increase in what I call "perfect parenting." You know what I mean... Those parents whose children are always doing something cute and wonderful, never do anything wrong, and those parents that are just the best in the world and never make any mistakes with their kids. I actually saw someone post on social media "I'm thankful I've never made any mistakes with my child." All this got me thinking (which we all know is very dangerous).

I adore my son. He is the center of my world. He is bright, funny, sarcastic (shocking, I know), and has a heart of gold. He has taken up my hobby of cussing like a sailor. His current favorite phrase is "Who pissed in his Cheerios?" He is a typical 9 year old. But there are times I am willing to sell him to highest bidder... Ok- let's be honest- I'd sell him for a case of beer.

One of his angelic moments

I am so not a perfect parent. I readily admit I have made many, MANY mistakes with my son. I have even apologized to him several times for for things I have done. I often joke that he doesn't have a college fund, he has a future therapy fund. When I post something on social media about my son or my parenting, I think it's safe to say no one could ever accuse me of trying to present my parenting skills in a perfect light.

I parent the same way as I appear on social media. I cuss in front of my son; I am sarcastic; I enjoy life. I also treat him with respect and teach him to do so to others.

I get that parenting is hard- I mean it's REALLY dang hard. I fully believe that we as parents need to be there and support each other. Let each other know that it's ok to have a really rough day where you want to just go in a corner, curl up in the fetal position, and rock. Enough of this pressure we put on each other to be perfect- its crap and we know it. And if you don't want to be my friend because I'm not a perfect parent, it's probably for the best- we really wouldn't get along anyway...

Bullies and parents

Let me preface this post with this disclaimer- these are MY thoughts only. I have NO evidence or experiences to back this up. These are only MY thoughts...

Bullying is a situation that is in the news quite a bit lately. As the mother of a 6 year old, I am very aware of bullying and the consequences it has on children. We have been very lucky so far not to have any bullying issues with my son.

But, a situation occurred to me this week that made think about bullies. I found the following description of bullying, which I think is pretty clear:

Bullying behavior may include name calling, verbal or written abuse, exclusion from activities, exclusion from social situations, physical abuse, or coercion. Bullies may behave this way to be perceived as popular or tough or to get attention. They may bully out of jealousy or be acting out because they themselves are bullied.

When we hear about a bullying situation with children, we tell the kids to tell a parent or a an authority figure, such as a teacher or principal. We then rely on that authority figure to put an end to the bullying. Often that authority figure talks to the parent about the child, and asks the parent to help end the bullying.

But what if the parent themselves is a bully? Yep- there are parents out there who bully, or try to bully, other adults. Usually, parents don't engage in physical bullying like kids do- parents most often engage in verbal, social or cyber bullying. So how do you expect that parent to help stop the behavior of their kids when they are engaging in that same behavior? Of course, I bet most parents who engage in bullying would say that they would NEVER bully anyone and wouldn't condone their kids being a bully. But, actions speak louder than words.

Believe, I am not saying that I am a perfect parent... Hubby and I often say that we aren't putting money in a college fund, it's going into a future therapy fund. These are just some thoughts that occurred to me after what could be perceived as a social and cyber bullying event this week. They are MY thoughts, and MY thoughts only...