So, I was reading the information on the New York Times about the AAP saying that kids should be rear-facing until 2 years old. A very good suggestion, although a mute point for me because my enormous child surpassed the height and weight recommendations for rear-facing for his car seat at 13 months. I probably could have rushed out to buy a car seat…but letยs be honest…it’s $350. So, I’ll just have to live with the fact that I’m a terrible parent. It probably won’t be the first time I feel that way. In fact it isn’t the first time I’ve felt that way.
After reading the article, I decided to read the comments. Big mistake…huge mistake. It brought up that crazy thing for me again – the Mommy Wars. It really is a fascinating topic. Granted, I’ve judged other mothers. I really try not to, but I think we’ve all been there, even for a fleeting second. I always feel badly about it, especially in those moments when I feel like a bad mother while I’m home alone with no one watching.
I remember having a lot of rules when I was pregnant. I wasn’t going to let Fynn do this or that. I wasn’t going to let Fynn eat this or that. I now realize how truly crazy that is. I do look up to mothers who seem like they can do it all. Although I think that’s a complete myth. No mom can be perfect all of the time. All moms lose their cool and need a time out. All moms let their kids watch a little too much television. All moms cave when their toddler refuses to eat anything but chicken nuggets. I guess I got used to the idea early on that this parenting thing is like the “Worst Case Scenario” books. Just as long as Fynn is reasonably clean, happy, and well fed I suppose I can sleep well at night. Ha! Sleep well…what mom sleeps well?
I pretty much abandoned all hopes and standards by child #3. They are alive and more-or-less unharmed, that’s all that matters ๐
Clean and happy?? I’m thankful for alive and breathing. ๐