There is a common phrase going around, “for every great kid there is a mom who is pretty sure she’s screwing it up”.
Well folks, I’m positive I’m screwing it all up.
I am exhausted. I yell. I have no patience. I nag. I yell more. I use a nasty tone. I sound rude. I sit and watch instead of joining in the game. I don’t laugh nearly enough as I should. I am definitely screwing it up.
I say this to admit to it. I need to do better. Liam and Lydia are some pretty awesome kids. They are fun, and silly, and smart, and kind. I admit to my faults because it’s true, and I NEED my children to know that our flaws are what make us human.
I’m screwing things up because we are not perfect. NO ONE IS.
When faced with a new skill plenty of children get frustrated that it takes time to master that skill. Say hitting a ball with a bat. I get frustrated right with him as he swings a few times, finally connects but moves like he’s carrying the weight of the world in his legs. It makes me think of a line in the chick flick Steal 
Magnolia’s. A grieving mother, Sally Fields’ character M’Lynn, stands with dear friends at the cemetery after burying her adult child. She cries and screams, “I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine. I’m fine! I can jog all the way to Texas and back, but my daughter can’t! She never could! Oh God! I’m so mad I don’t know what to do! I wanna know why!”
Liam boxing during Physical Therapy.
As the weather has turned warmer, and after school playtime has switched from cuddling with books to riding our bikes with neighborhood friends, Liam’s disease shows. He is tired. He gets angry because he is tired, and I don’t blame him. My heart sinks when people comment on how much energy their children have, and how hard that can be to keep up with them. I respect that hardship, but I would give anything for my child to have extra energy to burn.
I need my children to know that despite our flaws, we are doing the best we can. Liam may never be able to run to Texas, but he’s got big things up his sleeve. I just hope I don’t screw this up!