 |
I imagine that a lot of parenting is modeling behaviour that you would like to see emulated. Frankly, I’m just not that good of a person. I can and have tried, but I give up.
It’s kind of like when you’re dating. For a while, you’re on your best behaviour, because you like them and you want them to like you. But, eventually, you can’t keep up the act, and they see the “real” you.
The research says that in raising kids, you really can’t change much. You are the parent that you’re going to be, and you’ll raise the child that you’re going to raise. Don’t sweat it, because it’s not worth it. The kids are who they are, and, in the long run, you’re not going to change much, so sit back and enjoy the ride.
It’s so fatalistic. I feel like I’ve been bothering too much and for too long, and I need to just stop. I’m like the spouse who, after so many years of marriage, is ready to just let himself go and spend the rest of his years in sweat pants.
I’m just so tired of trying to be better.
And the weird thing is, even trying as much as I have, I don’t think I’ve been half the parent Becky is.
And, of course, I realize that I’ll still try. I may take a rest today, but I’ll be back at it tomorrow. Because that’s the parent that I am, and what I’m modeling is not being a great parent, but being a parent who tries. And that’s going to have to be enough.
September 2, 2011 at 1:00 pm |
I think that is an enough you can be proud of. You are modeling that it’s worthwhile to try and to give an honest effort. Without trying well, then not much will happen. Certainly, very little that you WANT to happen. Not trying results in missing out on a lot of experiences, opportunities, knowledge and relationships.
Speaking of trying, Jennifer sent the final draft of her latest manuscript off to Stanford University Press yesterday.