Reflecting on your parenting journey – would you be a candidate to win parent of the year?
They don’t seem to have suffered too much, do they?!
I’m the first to admit that I’m not!
I yell sometimes. I lose my temper. Some nights I can’t be bothered to cook dinner, so let the family fend for themselves (we call them DIY nights!).
I’ve Done My Best …
Like most Mums I’ve done my best over the years. I tried to breastfeed (though it didn’t go so well – it’s much harder than it looks!), and used cloth nappies rather than disposable whenever possible. I lovingly cooked and pureed my own baby food, kept the house tidy, sewed shorts for my son, and included plenty of educational experiences and outings into our days.
I read to them often, volunteered at their schools, helped them with homework.
And do you know, my kids hardly remember ANY of these things?!
However there are a couple of moments in my parenting journey that are so outstandingly bad, my kids still take much delight in reminding me about them!
Why I’ll Never Win Parent of the Year: Example 1
When Mr 19 was much smaller, he played soccer for a couple of seasons. He was so little back then, and being a good mum, I often froze my butt off on the sidelines while cheering him on.
Over time I got chatting with some of the other parents and that, alas, was the problem. The one time my son actually scored a goal, I was so busy talking to another parent that I missed it. Yep, months of faithfully racing home from work to attend each game, rugging up against the cold, encouraging my son to keep trying and … in his moment of triumph I didn’t even notice. Instant parenting fail!
Why I’ll Never Win Parent of the Year: Example 2
Miss 16 has always loved cooking, craft and making things. When she was about 8 or 9 she learned how to make pom poms at school. That night she came to me with a newly started pom pom and said, “Mum, be honest with me, do you think this is really good or really lame?”
I must have been a bit distracted because I told her it was really lame – and have never lived it down! (What I *really* meant was that as she had just started it, there really wasn’t much for me to judge it on, but of course it would be great by the time she finished it. Unfortunately it didn’t come out that way and understandably she was shocked by my rather blunt comeback!)
Why is it that they always remember the BAD things but never the GOOD things we’ve done?!
What was your most epic parenting fail, the one that means you’ll never win parent of the year?!
Love your honesty and sense of humour Janet. : ) Your post has reminded me not to sweat the small stuff as I parent my young children. Thank you.
I’m glad I could help! I’ll be sharing another Bad Mummy Moment in the next week or so …
Hahahaha! Bad Mummy!
Man, I can so relate! I’ve had some shockers in my time. The kids just laugh at me and give me a shove if I answer wrong lol
What can we be apart from the best we can…. and human!
Awesome Things I Know this week Janet!
MC x
#ThingsIKnow
Thanks Miss Cinders, I’ve been enjoying linking up!
LOL – I can totally relate to this post. My kids constantly remind me of my parenting fails! I hope they remember all the great parenting moments I have had!! I have some nights occasionally when I don’t cook dinner (usually when I’m too tired or I’ve had a big lunch and don’t feel like a big dinner) and they have to make their own. I call them the MYO (Make Your Own) nights! I love those nights except for the fact they leave all their mess and washing up for me!! I love the photograph! It’s the first time I have seen your son. He looks a lot like your hubby 🙂 Min xo
Yes! He does! Mr 19 on Sunday hates having his photo taken – so make the most of this one, which was taken on my birthday in January 🙂
I wish I was a good Mum – mentally I feel like a total damn failure .. gee I even gave my kids frigged up chromosomes!! And son one died because of those frigged up genes!!
I cannot imagine my kids will grow up with great memories of their childhood .. 🙁
You might just be surprised. What they know, what they remember, is the LOVE.
I can relate too and I’m guilty of so many bad mummy moments …
Aren’t we all – I’m sharing a doozy tomorrow for #IBOT!
Love the post Janet and gorgeous family pic! My boys are still little I suppose but the eldest does seem to pick up on the little things I do for them which feels really rewarding – having said that – they definitely never let you forget the fails hey ?
Happy Mother’s Day to you 🙂
It’s all in good fun 🙂
I’m sure they remember the good too! All those moments of reading to them and tucking them in each night adds up to that image they have of the Mum they love! Have a lovely Mothers Day – hope they are old enough to spoil you!
Thanks Annaleis, yes I was very spoilt with two garden benches – one for the back yard, and one for the front 🙂
So funny Janet 🙂 I am lucky that my two are still too small to remember my parenting fails at this stage. I have so much to look forward to lol
More Bad Mummy moments coming up this week 🙂
That is so true !!!! I am positive that K remembers all our fails and forgets our moments of triumph !!!
Have the best day !
Me
Hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day 🙂
Ha I love reading other peoples parenting fails!! I am a massive yeller too and I am waiting for the day mine are old enough to get their own dinners!!
That’s what cereal is for Ann 🙂
I’m SO glad to hear all of this Janet, especially today when I’ve let all my 3 stay in their PJs all day, they’re all a little sick! And hopefully they won’t remember that I have spent half the day being cranky at them! I hope you had a great Mother’s Day, Em x
I did indeed Miss Em, hope you did too … I’m actually sharing another epic parenting fail tomorrow, something for you to look forward to?!