This one’s for you!

You may wonder why I named this concept “Not-So-Perfect Parent”. It’s actually a sadly inspiring story about a real-life event. I had just given birth to my first-born child. It was mid-afternoon and I was still in my pajamas – you’re probably all too familiar with this scene. As I nursed my darling son, my attention wandered to the television. As if to mock me, there stood one of those perfect “can-do” women.

You know the type. She was touting her herbal honey made with fresh picked herbs from her organically grown garden. I scoffed at her audacity, but the breaking point came when I watched her don beekeeper gear and collect honey from beehives. This was no mere woman. She had to be genetically engineered, a modern-day Stepford wife. Homemade honey – let’s get real!

Thank goodness I came to my senses before I threw the nearest thing at the television. I was inspired from that moment forward to bring some sanity and rational expectations into the lives of real women, and in this case real mothers since I had just joined their ranks.

I don’t mean to be so exclusive, but if you’ve got a staff of maids, nannies, cooks and gardeners this website probably won’t suit you. But if you’re a Not-So-Perfect parent, and it’s difficult for you to find the time to buy ready-made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches rather than make your own honey – I’m talking to you.

As a club of Not-So-Perfect parents, we are a diverse group. Included in our ranks are moms, dads, single parents, step-parents and even grandparentss. We work outside the home and we stay at home. But most of all, we are the caregivers who love our children and try to maintain sanity in an insane world.

Let’s be frank., like you, the moment my son was born I was thrust into the comparison game. Everything I did, everything I bought, from baby bags to diapers, reflected what type of mom I am to the rest of the world. When I took my son to the pediatrician I waited anxiously for his “report card.” I swear that I felt I had failed when he wasn’t in the 80th percentile in all the categories of weight, height, etc. What pressure!

Honestly, being a parent is not about being perfect. It’s about being real. In my opinion, striving for perfection does not bring you closer to your kids. The pursuit of perfection only leads to frustration and serves as a wedge between you and your children. That said, I’m certainly relieved because I’ll never be perfect, so I’ve had to snuggle up to the concept of being a Not-so-Perfect parent and doing the best I can.

Allow this website to be the forum through which we join together to share thoughts, stories, insights, advice and even frustrations. I think we can help each other, so write to me at paige@notsoperfectparent.com.

Always be real.

Paige