On the cynical side, I’ve come to realize that no parent can’t get it all right either. I have a friend who has some “psychological issues”, the therapist says: because mom loved him “too much”. That just blows my mind. So.. too much love is bad too. LOL! But of course the real problem is not that. I’m simplifying it… yet everybody I know has some flaw to blame always on the poor parents.

So, at this point I come into it knowing that I just have to try to do my best, but no matter what I do, I’ll still blow it somewhere, and as you say, despite that, my child (if I have one) will still survive, and hopefully be happy.

And thank you for your note to Maria. I’ll add my own: I am far from a perfect mother, and I feel guilty for it constantly. I am too impatient; I expect too much of a 2-year old; I don’t “play” enough; I shout too much; and I am too selfish. Having said that, I must be doing alright because Lily is happy, outgoing, sensitive, intuitive, very verbal (although she still can’t count past 3), and funny. People constantly walk across rooms to speak to her and comment on her smiling face. An older gentleman at the next table over in a restaurant once complemented my mothering!! Totally surprised, I argued that her behavior wasn’t my doing. He said that was nonsense, and that a child that happy and well-behaved had to be to my credit. I didn’t know what to say except, “thank you.” But I still couldn’t take the credit. What I’m getting at, is that maybe we should concede to the wisdom of our elders that you don’t have to be perfect. Children are remarkably resilient and forgiving. They will be fine, in spite of us.

My .02,
Nancy

Why did I know you would choose this template? =)