 | "Courage" comes from the root "cour", or heart.
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The Courage to Be Imperfect
Parenting is a hard job, isn't it? I know I feel that way, and I've heard the same from many others. I have studied Positive Discipline, I facilitate several workshops a week, I believe wholeheartedly that Positive Discipline philosophy and tools are the best way to have a healthy and happy, respectful relationship with my child. Yet, I'm sometimes not very good at it. Imperfect, actually. I am often painfully aware of my shortcomings, and wonder, "Who am I, to give ideas and suggestions to other parents?" And here's how I've decided to answer that question: I am a parent, just like many others, doing the best I can with what energy and understanding I have at any given moment in time. I don't always make the best choices, or behave the way I know I "should", AND I'm willing to get up and try again; to look at what happened and identify where I went off-course; to forgive myself and make a plan to handle it differently next time. I have to say, when I step back and look at my relationship with my son now, compared to six years ago, it's very clear that we're closer now, more connected in thought and heart. I have to recognize that and be grateful for it. Grateful for all I've learned, for Ben giving me a clean slate every morning, for my growing realization that being perfect is not a realistic or healthy goal. As colleague and mentor, Jody McVittie, pointed out, "How will [kids] learn to learn from mistakes? It's important to model that we are okay the way we are - for who we are and that we all make mistakes."
It's my wish for you all, this season of giving thanks, that you find the courage to be imperfect.
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