I sat on the couch with a little girl on either side of me, and it was perfect. The third one inside my belly squirmed back and forth, and all I knew was that it felt good to finally be sitting down. The sofa suited me just fine, and my daughters stared transfixed at a holiday special on Disney Jr. My biggest concern was how long it would be until I had to get up to pee, and that was it.
I certainly wasn’t worried about my children watching too much TV.
Yes, this evening we deserved a little down time. After all, we had spent a full day attending educational classes and running errands. But many times, to tell the truth, I let them watch television when it wasn’t just a relaxing reward.
In all honesty, I let them watch it first thing in the morning so that I could have a little peace with my much needed cup of coffee. And other times I sat them in front of it while I balanced the checkbook, cleaned the kitchen, or locked myself in the bathroom to take five.
My kids watch too much TV. So sue me.
There seems to be an abundance of opinions on what is and what isn’t best when it comes to raising children, and I’m quite aware that I don’t always pass the test of public opinion when it comes to parenting.
I’ve been known to say yes to ice cream for breakfast. No, not every day, but I can think of mornings it just hasn’t been worth the fight. I give them sweets. So sue me.
I don’t put a time limit on how long they play on the iPad. We play games, go outside, and take fun field trips. But sometimes I give them my phone to keep them quiet. So sue me.
My girls like a wide array of foods, including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, but I can also think of days where chicken nuggets and macaroni are what they get fed. Lots of days actually. So sue me.
I don’t make my toddler go to the nursery when we’re at our Homeschool Co-Op classes. I let her stay with me when she asks, and maybe some think I should force her to interact with other children for her own social development. Or maybe she’s two, and I can do whatever I want as her mom. So sue me.
I don’t read bedtime stories every night, and we don’t have a specific bedtime routine or bedtime period. I’m just glad when I remember consistently to make them brush their teeth. So sue me.
I’m a homeschooling mom, but some days we don’t do cool, educational crafts. Some days I’m just lucky I finish the lesson without strangling my students. So sue me.
I am an advocate for breastfeeding, but I really don’t care if you formula feed your own. I’ve co-slept with a newborn, and I’ve let them cry it out. Whatever works man.
My five year old is still in my bed, and that comment gets plenty of judgmental stares, but ask me if I’m bothered. I figure I’m the one getting kicked, and my husband doesn’t care. So sue me.
It doesn’t matter to me if you spank your kids or give them a time-out. That’s your business. Homemade baby food or Gerbers is your prerogative, and mine too. Cloth versus disposable diapers? Whatever.
Despite popular opinion of what’s most beneficial for children, the truth is that all kids are unique. All moms are different, and there is no best way. And above all, mothers are human, not perfect.
Some days you need a break. Some days are off days, and you need to sit them in front of the television to gain your composure. That’s not bad parenting; it’s just being real. And the real truth is that parenting isn’t easy. It isn’t always fun, and you make plenty of mistakes. Sure it’s rewarding overall, but some days that may be harder to see. So sue me.
Do your kids know you love them? Do you hug them tight at the end of every day, and spend quality time with them often? Then what exactly that time entails is up to you. No one else. And that’s just fine. You’re fine. I’m fine. Most importantly, your kids are fine. Promise.
Kids don’t care about Pinterest or what childcare researchers say is the best education app on the market. They’re fine with coloring books from the Dollar Store and Go Fish.
You do the best you can, and as long as you’re trying, striving, and persevering, I say you’re good. Maybe some people disagree, but they aren’t paying my kid’s doctor bills or saving up for their college.
So I’ll keep doing my thing, and maybe it’s not what Parents Magazine quotes as Best of 2015, but it’s certainly the best for us. So sue me.