Never mind the 'perfect parent' who's happy to be a 'good enough' one????

[soapbox]

I'm sick of the perfection trend, and as I fear I'm a perfectionist at heart, I need an easier target to excel at.

So I think 'good enough' is a good enough target for me

Anyone care to join me??????

Harpsicordcarrier - A friend phoned me on monday evening after the first proper day of the summer hols to ask how our day had been. My response was......... I still have 3 children so we must have done ok.

The poems that have been posted are fantasic.

i came to a conclusion about this very subject last week.

i always thought i was a good mum to ds, then i had dd and it all seemed to go pear shaped. everything i set out to do, i seemed to fail miserably and couldnt understand why.

then i realised what it was. i have been setting impossible standards for myself. things that i just cant do without a partner around to help. i was trying soooo hard to prove to my friends and family that yes i SHOULD have had this baby, i was so determined to prove them all wrong that ive actually been making myself unhappy trying too hard.

im far from perfect and my family are just going to get used to it. i dont iron, my house is clean but not spotless, there arent enough hours in the day to do what i need to do in the house. but the children are loved, looked after, happy and i try my best.

The postings on this thread have really made me think - i had a bit of a moment last week when i just felt completely inadequate about everthing - house being a mess, being a p/t working mum, settling into my new job etc. BUT i am trying my best and that really is all i can do. I love my dd more than anything, i use the time we have together to do fun things and try and do as much as possible with her while trying to keep the house in order (which i will now not worry so much about - housework can wait )

So thanks you guys for making me feel better about myself - as i've said on another thread recently, I am the best mum for my dd and as long as she is happy then thats GOOD ENOUGH!!!!

XX

yep well aware i need to relax from my "ideals" today too. dd has recently stopped being a clingy young thing to being able & happy to amuse herself, and as a result i feel terribly guilty because i have to actually consciously make an effort to play or read to her and this past week or so i've been very lazy about it (cos i'm tired!) and she's watching too much telly too. But now, well, i'm thinking, sod it, she's happy, and there's always tomorrow...!

Lizita - how old is your DD?

almost 2