A couple of weeks ago a child therapist that I know looked at my kids and said, “You’re such a good mom”.
Feeling like a total fraud l blurted, “I don’t feel like a good mom. The kids are driving me so crazy, I’m losing my temper and falling asleep at night wondering where I’m going to get the patience for another day”.
To which she responded with a statement that I haven’t been able to forget,
“Babies cry, it’s how they communicate. Toddlers scream, children whinge and teenagers complain.
Then moms say the words ‘for f#$& sake under their breath before ever responding. It’s how we communicate. But guess what Con? It’s better than silence. A house full of screaming kids and fighting teenagers and a parent who’s being thrown every question and request is a healthy one to me.
It’s the silent children, the scared toddlers, the teenagers that don’t come home and the parents who aren’t in communication with their children that I worry about. And kids don’t drive you crazy, you were crazy already. That’s why you had them.”
And just like that, I felt like a good parent again.
Deep breaths, you’re doing a good job.
Written by Constance Hall