Piece and tranquillity

I have a wish for moms, dads, parents in general: to be relieved of the pressure of being the perfect parent with the most perfect child.

A friend of mine said recently: "Every parent reinvents parenthood." The thing is, she is right. You can look for support closeby or ask professionals. There are many organisations, magazines, books etc. which try to provide us with knowledge, tips and insights. They are most helpful, even if it's just to make you feel you're not the only one dealing with a certain issue.

But for the most part you've got to make parenthood your own. It's a constant learning curve as the child itself grows mentally and physically in the most rapid out-of-this-world speed. And while your personality maybe very suitable to deal with potty training, it doesn't mean that dealing with a four month old baby and going to solid food is something you know how to handle. Let alone guide him or her through puberty or even elementry school. That is why one day you're going to have to admit that you've made some mistakes along the way. It makes us human.
Now that wouldn't be a problem if we didn't put so much pressure on the job at hand. And while you do the best you can, with the best intentions, you have to realise: so does everybody else.
This has nothing to do with being concerned about some child's wellfare, or having different poitns of view on how to raise a child. Or even cultural differences. While something may not work for you, it can make a world of difference in another household.

So here's my wish: that we support and respect eachother as parents. For one we wouldn't feel so alone in dealing with the day to day matters. Judging other parents and making it into a contest on who has the better child, don't help us at all. Especially women should know better and stop competing over learning abillities, potty training, first steps, sleeping through the night, clothes, sports, when a child could make a stack of blocks, ect. It makes us look ugly.
A child benefits from a postive environnement. And if we want them to learn to respect each and every person on the planet, then why not start at home and treat other parents with compassion. I think it will change our world.

My good thoughts go out to all parents who try to raise sensible, healthy human beings who know the principle of giving back, caring about others and finding their own unique talent. May you find piece and confidence in yourself.