I saw a clever bumper sticker on a car that stated “How’s my Parenting?” with a 1-800 number next to it and it sure got my attention.
It ended up being an ad for preventing underage drinking but this sure got me thinking. Haven’t we all wanted to call about someone’s parenting? I mean there are just so many times I would have loved to call a number and let a parent know what a great job they are doing.
Haha! I bet you thought I was going to say the complete opposite, right?
<After all, these types of bumper stickers are typically designed to offer a phone number for people to complain to>
But honestly, I wish there was a way to tell more parents that they are doing a great job. This job doesn’t come with any instructions and we all just kind of fly by the seat of our pants. Here we all are just doing the best we can with what we have been given and it’s a tough job. This also includes step parenting. We are all just winging it, I don’t care how many books you’ve read.
Some parents are blessed with children that follow all the rules and it makes them look like the parent of the year.
Then, you see those parents that were gifted with a child that literally will do anything to do the opposite of what they say and make them look like deadbeat parents.
How is this possible?! Especially if you have multiple children. How do parents produce one “good” child and then one “not so good”?!
And when you are in a blended family you sit and wonder if your new marriage is to blame for any of the negative outcomes.
“Are they like this because they have a step-parent and are rebelling?”
“Are they like this because of the divorce/death of their parent?”
“Are they so obedient because of the stack of books I’ve read?”
Yet some people have children struggling and it’s the same mom and dad….who knows🤷🏼♀️
I sure wish I could ask (or call!) one of those parents with the perfect kids and see what exactly they are doing. We all want to know their magic trick.
With nine children to raise I pray that ALL nine turn out good. Some days that thought scares me and I just want to hide under my covers. What a huge task!
If no one has told you lately, you are doing a great job. Raising humans is a difficult job.
We can do this!!
Blended Hope 
Ha ha I have been awarded both by my son. When I do something he likes (such as getting him an Xbox for Christmas) I am the world’s best mom. When I do something he dislikes (taking away ability to play on Xbox for behaviour) I am suddenly the world’s worst mom. We all imagine that some parents are perfect because we only receive a snapshot of their child at that time but what can go on at home will be very different. There really is no such thing as the best/worst (we won’t go into bad bad parenting) we all are just parenting. Some may just hide their child(ren)’s less than perfect behaviour. I for one proudly triumph my good parent moments and solemnly proclaim my worst parent moments. For there is one thing that my mom taught me (and believe me I was the worst of the worst as a teenager) if you are good and your kid(s) love you roll with it if you are the worst you are most definitely doing a great job as a parent.
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