Hey you, yeah you! I just wanted to let you know that you are doing an awesome job at being a parent! There is too much pressure in today’s society to become this picture perfect instagram parent, winning at life. We all need some more REALISM in our lives. I have many times in the past felt that heavy weight of guilt as I let my boys eat smarties and watch Sesame Street, ‘At least it’s educational’ is what I tell myself. That and cookie monster makes me laugh…I’m not laughing as I type this while thinking about him running into a wall…hehe.
It’s so easy dear reader for others to take one look and form a negative opinion of a parent having a hard time out in public. I got to thinking (which is always a bad idea) what makes us judge each other so harshly on a small snippet of our lives. People don’t see the late nights we are forced to have because our child is refusing to sleep. How many times we scare away the monsters and ghosts so our child can sleep soundly. The millionth attempt to make peas and broccoli sound better than a happy meal. They don’t see or know any of this. None of it!
I’ve had the odd look because I’ve given my child a chip instead of a carrot stick. Or let them help pick out the pick-n-mix for our movie night. They tut and mumble about “I blame the parents” while continuing to stare waiting for my response which is always a smile because I don’t care. They don’t know that my boys love eating fresh fruit and jump off loads of energy on the trampoline in the garden. How can they know? They only see what’s in front of them and are assuming that I am a bad, lazy parent because I am treating my child to something sweet and sugary. They don’t know it’s a rare treat. I don’t feel the need to explain this to them because it’s none of their business and like I said, I don’t care. I care about my boys being happy and enjoying life. I don’t feed them sweets and cakes everyday, but I don’t deprive them ether. I like to think they have a healthy balance.
Throughout my nearly 5 years of being a parent I have learned one big thing that has really, really helped me. And I am going to share it with you. So; are you ready?
Stop caring about what other people think.
As long as your child is happy, healthy and most importantly loved. That’s all that matters. No one else should matter but your child. Ignore the looks, the tuts and judgemental comments. Let them wash over you and down the plughole along with the rest of the dirt.
You are doing a great job. A fantastic, wonderful, outstanding job at being a parent. You know what’s best for your child, not some random stranger in the supermarket sticking their opinions in where they’re not wanted or needed. Smile and ignore. Don’t ever let it get to you because these strangers haven’t got a clue how much love you have. They don’t see the laughs, the silly games, the happy moments where you are doing nothing but being a loving and devoted parent. At the end of the day they seriously don’t know and more fool them for thinking they do. You have a life filled with the laughter and love of your children. Never feel ashamed for having the odd treat. Enjoy!
I hope you all have a beautiful day and remember how awesome you are. We are off to a hospital appointment to discuss birth options for baby Sheldon. I’m not scared in the slightest…might need to pick up a doughnut on the way to help. For the baby of course 😉
Hop hop wiggle wiggle
Bunny’s Pause 