Things I Said I Would Never Do

I am the least judgmental parent ever.  I will not even look your way as your child tantrums in Tar.get, or yells at you at school, or swats at you, or lays on the ground in protest.  Nope. I won't even glance your way.  And if I do happen to look your way, it will be to give you an understanding look because I have been there and I don't blame you. 

I am the least judgmental parent ever because frankly, I don't want to be judged.  This parenting thing is difficult.  The last thing I or anyone else needs is someone who thinks we are doing it all wrong and they have all the answers.  Every child is so different, and requires a different approach to parenting.  I learn that on a daily basis. 

I'll be the first to admit, I parent slightly different than i had intended to.  There were things I said I would never do as a parent (of course I said this before I was a parent) that I now do.  I'd love to be all Little House on the Prairie, but, I'm not even close.  Not even a little. 

Sometimes my kids eat high fructose corn syrup. . . to be honest, I don't check labels on any foods they eat.  Homecooked meals?  I do my best, but sometimes, chicken nuggets and mac-n-cheese, with a side of fruit and veggies will have to suffice.  My 2 and a half and 3 year old are still in cribs, but hey, they've never tried to climb out of their cribs, and if it ain't broke. . . My kids watch TV.  Sorry, but sometimes this mama needs a break.  We watch cartoon on Saturday mornings (and sometimes Sundays too!) and every evening before bed.  Yep, that's how we unwind. 

Sometimes, I reward my kids with chocolate.  I've learned, chocolate is a huge motivator with my children, and sometimes, I need them to behave a certain way.  My kids listen to techno, rap, the Beatles, and their all time favorite song (and video) of the moment is Gengnam Style.  TT can even do the entire dance. 

I bought a van with a DVD player in it, and well, I have resorted to putting in a DVD more times than I care to admit. 

Yes, parenthood looks differently than I was intending.  But, I don't sweat the small stuff.  I don't sit on goo.gle daily and worry about what red dye in foods may do to my children.  I don't have the energy to worry about such things.  My kids will never be organic eaters. They'll never know what it's like to have a mama who stays home all day, and has a homemade snack, and then a homemade dinner, ever single night. 

But let me tell you.  My kids are so happy.  I know this, because they tell me daily that they are.  They smile, and they laugh, and they are loved, and they know it.  They get fed, and bathed, and the other very important fundamentals to a good childhood. 

I respect all parenting choices.  Some people think certain aspects of parenting are more important than others.  But at the root of our choices, is a love deeper than we have ever known.