Nothing Is Perfect

1. Laugh it Off

When things don’t go as planned, we get to choose to either throw a hissy fit and stew on it or let it go and laugh it off. OK, the chicken was waaaay overcooked at dinner. Instead of complaining and spiraling into a defeated attitude that dampens the whole family’s evening, take a breath, and laugh it off. Don’t take yourself too seriously. The truth is, not every meal will turn out amazing. Usually, if you put enough cheese on something, kids will still eat it so… just add some cheese.

2. Let Go of Unrealistic Expectations

Pinterest-worthy birthday parties? Organic, homemade baby food? Folded laundry? These things are nice, but they don’t define your success as a mom. The images of perfectly tidy homes and perfect children and perfect, fit, moms with their perfect outfits and hair is all just a mirage…a lie. It’s a staged snapshot to get us to click. If your kids are fed, loved, and know where to find you when they need a hug, you’re winning. The truth is, your kids just want time with you. They don’t need perfect dinners and a pinterest home. They just want your attention and affection.

3. Remember That They are Learning From YOU

It’s beneficial for your kids to see your imperfections in order to learn that it’s ok NOT to be perfect. They are learning from us how to handle failure and imperfection. I know I have a tendency to throw a hissy when dinner doesn’t turn out just right and become a Debbie Downer for the rest of the evening. But they are watching. I want them to know, when things don’t turn out as they’d hoped, they can STILL have JOY and a positive attitude. When they watch you handle setbacks with patience, humor, and resilience, they learn that mistakes are a natural part of life, not something to fear. It helps them develop a healthy mindset around failure, showing them that it’s okay to try, mess up, and try again.

The truth is, sometimes you will lose your temper. You might raise your voice and overreact. You’re human and it happens to us all. It’s easy to let guilt take over though. Once again, this can be a teachable moment. Sometimes, we need to admit when we are wrong and apologize to our kids. When they see you owning your mistakes, they’ll feel safer admitting and learning from their own.

So go ahead—burn that dinner or misplace your keys—it’s all part of raising resilient, adaptable kids! And take a sigh of relief. They won’t remember whether dinner was a five-course meal or cereal; they’ll remember that you were there. You’re going to make mistakes and you won’t be able to do everything for everybody everyday. So let go of the fear, embrace the imperfection, and remember: you’re doing better than you think.

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