A Mom's Manifesto

There really is a method to my madness. To the casual observer, most days may appear to be a run away train; but I do try to parent with the following principles in mind: Health, Happiness and Balance. Admittedly we've lowered our standards drastically as soon as reality set in (approximately 1/26/08-the first two days we were running on adrenaline-we really were the best parents before we became parents). But, to the best of our abilities we promote "Health" and "Happiness" by: Offering plenty of foods made from scratch or meals made with ingredients that don't require a PhD in food science to decipher. We also make sure the girls get enough sleep, breathe plenty of fresh air and have an opportunities to run, jump and climb. We try to promote adventure, creativity, mess and learning. We try not to hover. We allow dirt, scrapes and minor bruises as it's all part of becoming an independent and confident kid. We encourage learning through doing. We also indulge them with plenty of hugs and kisses and visits with grandparents and loved ones. And I don't think we're doing half bad.
BUT...
It's this "Balance" part of my manifesto that always knocks me on my hiney. Balance means being able to swallow the fact that Dora may invade our house for more hours of the day then I would like to admit (like a virulent, intractable disease...sorry Dora, it ain't personal). Balance is being able to shrug off those nights when Ella comes home from a party (or a loved one's house) stuffed like a Mexican pinata full of candy. Those nights when insulin and/or a toothbrush (preferably both) should be within arms reach and the person responsible should be in the next state or risk stragulation. Balance is not beating yourself up for not reading her the nightly three books when you are too dog-tired to change out of your work clothes and your contacts are fused to your eyes. Balance is accepting that perfection can't be a reality for your child 100% of the time. And it's precisely because of these imperfections that our kids will turn out perfectly fine.
Imperfections = Perfectly Fine